Top dealership ready to defend sought-after title
- Dealer News
- 24 February 2025
At Halfway Toyota in Howick, workshop foreman Devesh Saamcharan stole a march on his Japanese colleagues in the Toyota Motor Corporation when he assembled a few foot-operated, hand-sanitiser dispensers back in May 2020.
Capetonians will be quite familiar with the famous Shell Garage landmark, called Vic Procter Motors situated underneath what was known as Geldenhuys Mansions, but is now called Bay Point.
The economic impact of the hard lockdown has accelerated the consolidation or even closure of some dealerships, especially in smaller towns and regions, but it seems the Toyota dealership in Bultfontein is holding strong.
Suzuki recently recognised it’s dealership in Piet Retief for having the best market share in its area, but Mark Hohls, sales manager at AutoHouse, tells Dealerfloor the award is a just a by-product of surviving against all odds after General Motors’ surprise exit from all its smaller markets worldwide, including South Africa, in 2017.
In Ladybrand, Ficksburg and De Aar, the local Toyota dealerships are owned by the agricultural co-op, which makes them an intimate part of their local communities.
With his pension money of a mere R17 000 and working from his car, Mike Bradshaw started his own car business back in 2000. Today, Top Gear Auto is testimony to what hard work, determination and dedication can achieve.
ABSA Vehicle and Asset Finance (AVAF) recently celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of the BB Group during a function held at BB Ford Menlyn.
At first glance, the job of marketing co-ordinator at the Mascor group, Maroné Lotter, seems impossible. She has to promote from ride-on lawnmowers to new Toyota Starlets and agricultural implements to clients ranging from teachers to mega farmers.
The importance of community involvement can never be underestimated. Especially when your business’ area of responsibility includes rural towns and communities, where the slow economy has taken its toll.
The Jacksons Isuzu Suzuki dealership in Queenstown won a slew of awards in the Suzuki Auto Dealer of the Year Awards, and the dealership’s veteran after-sales manager, Odette Allers, must take bow for her role in the dealer’s success.
Following a few weeks of furious activity at the Fury dealership in Pietermaritzburg, dealer principal Duncan Parsons proudly cut the ribbon to the new Fiat and Jeep side of the business on November 25.
Mitsubishi Motors South Africa (MMSA) is hosting a golf day on 3 December 2020 to support JOE Lil’brary and opening the doors of all 41 dealers to collect donated books.
“When life hands you hail, you make a sale,” is the philosophy at the VW Barons dealership in Pietermaritzburg. New Car sales manager Darryl Chetty told Dealerfloor a recent hail storm damaged 20 new cars, which he immediately advertised at discount prices in “A Hail of a Sale”.
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