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- Industry News
- 2 April 2025
Serious damage was caused to Westvaal Motor Group’s Isuzu and Suzuki dealership in Welkom when a tornado hit the town this past Sunday shortly after midday. The estimated damage to the dealership could exceed a million rand.
Piet Botha, Dealer Principal at the well-known landmark dealership in the Circle City, tells Dealerfloor that the damage was caused at both the new and used vehicle showrooms with the big 10 x 10 metre windows blown out and damage to the roof that saw large parts of the ceiling collapse.
The workshop’s roller door was also ripped off and the outside washing bay totally collapsed. In the front of the dealership, the forecourt experienced severe damage, especially on the shop side. The forecourt is, however, not part of Westvaal’s operation.
“We are still busy repairing the affected areas, and the huge glass panels are being re-assembled in Gauteng. Notwithstanding the damage, we are open for business from sales to services as well as our parts division, and customers are more than welcome to visit us,” Piet says.
Dealerfloor wishes Westvaal and others affected all the best in getting everything up and running again.
Firstly, all praise to the Almighty for bestowing his favours upon us without which none of this is possible.
A few small ideas to help you add to your bottom line and enhance your balance sheet:
Dealerfloor chats to Jaun Marais (photo), Operations Executive at the Hatfield Motor Group, about their recent expansion of GWM dealerships and his plans and passion for the Chinese brand, which has become a vital part of the group’s product offering and business success.