This is precisely the qualities Michael Pashut (photo) has had since a young age and today he is the driving force and owner of the www.ChangeCars.co.za online platform with more than 41 000 vehicles listed from 780 dealerships across the country.

Although CHANGECARS might be the flagship in his business portfolio, he has just started with an Afrikaans platform, similar but unique, www.stuurwiel.co.za. His television programme on channel 189 on DSTV, called ALL THINGS MOTORING, and his YouTube channel and website are also well known and cover a wide spectrum of motoring news and information.

The important focus, however, remains to render a safe and first-class buying experience to anyone looking for a set of wheels. “What differentiates us from other platforms, is our process of vetting dealerships that want to list their cars with us.

“Dealerships with Bank Codes as well as Google Reviews and Hello Peter ratings are among the important steps to differentiate between the good and the bad out there when searching for car. The protection of car buyers goes a long way towards establishing trust between us and our followers, the public,” he tells Dealerfloor.

Michael goes a step further and says his personal mobile number and e-mail address are on the website and proves that every effort is made to keep scammers and fly-by-night dealerships away from using CHANGECARS. I have confidence in our dealership partners, and their credentials are above board,” Michael says.

After leaving school at age 17 and working six months for a used cars dealership in Johannesburg, Michael and one of his brothers decided to go it alone. They started a used car business, Lonrez Cars in Jules Street, Johannesburg back in 1991, selling consignment stock. “Money was scarce and sometimes we would deliver a car and take the bus back to the dealership. We put our heads down and worked hard,” he tells us.

In 1997 his brothers decided to immigrate, and Michael was the only family member to remain behind. The growing demand for minibus taxis opened opportunities, and he still works from the same premises where he established Commercial Auto and Bus, a dealership still going strong today.

During 2021, Michael saw the need for a platform for 5-Star dealerships to advertise their stock online and CHANGECARS was born. “The take-off was hard, and we started out with a 1 000 vehicles from 15 dealerships. Within a year or so, it grew to 10 000 vehicles with 140 dealership on board to the 41 000 vehicles we have on the platform today,” he tells Dealerfloor.

“Our aim was to earn the trust of the market and in that we succeeded, but the job is not done. Our intention is to become the largest in the market, still without accepting listings from dubious dealerships,” Michael concludes.