Recognition for a job well done

Dealerfloor told his incredible life story last year of how determination and hard work helped him to overcome severe obstacles in life to become one of the biggest used car dealerships. (https://dealerfloor.co.za/dealer-news/from-cab-driver-to-dealer-owner)

Now Nate has received the cherry on top of his success cake by being awarded the accolade as the top Non-Franchise Dealership in the category for Small dealerships at the Absa Golden Partner Awards ceremony.

And if there could be two cherries on top of a cake, during the same weekend, Nate also received the prestigious Absa award, and he also won the BAIC best performing Dealer of the Year award from the Chinese manufacturer, a franchise he recently acquired. “I am very excited about this brand and about the new products coming our way,” Nate says. Both BAIC and Nate’s Car Sales are housed on the same premises.

“I am immensely proud of the Absa award, especially after we had been a cash business that only transformed in recent years to include financing vehicle purchases. From selling one car and later a few more from my parents’ backyard, we now have more than 200 vehicles on offer.

“This and the way we conduct business are of the utmost importance to me and caught the eye of buyers and banks alike. Absa put in a tremendous effort by assisting me with the set-up to expand business to customers who preferred being financed, and we have a close relationship.

“I do not believe in “on the road” and “delivery fees”, which are unnecessary. Those kinds of costs are also not built into the price structure as you will see from our competitive pricing. I just do not like to make money that way,” Nate tells us.

Nate says this is the first prestigious award Nate’s Car Sales has won and definitely not the last. “Personally, for me, it feels like recognition for achieving success after many years of hardship to make it in this business.

Nate tells the anecdote of his struggles: “I sold my first – and only – car when I was living with my parents. I had a number of different jobs over the years but constantly sold vehicles from our home. At one stage, we had 60 cars and even had to fill up the swimming pool to create more space to park the vehicles.

“The municipality did not take kindly to running a used car dealership from home and gave me an ultimatum: stop immediately or pay a hefty fine. I had to find a premises and move my 60 odd cars to a place that could accommodate 250 vehicles. We are still at the same premises today, full of vehicles to pick and choose from,” Nate tells Dealerfloor.

The funny part is years ago, we put up a sign at our home saying, ‘MOVED’, when we had to find a new location for the business. That sign is still there and till today I sometimes get people who come looking for a car, which proves our solid reputation in the trade,” he says.

And what does Nate do when he’s not working around the clock selling cars? “My boy got me to play golf and that, as well as my family, is my life. I am privileged, grateful and enjoy life and the business to the fullest.”