Your next car deal could come with an AI upgrade you’ll appreciate
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can play a vital role for customers to make the right choice when hunting for a pre-owned vehicle.
- Industry News
- 5 November 2026
ABSA Vehicle and Asset Finance (AVAF) recently celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of the BB Group during a function held at BB Ford Menlyn.
The BB Group started as a one-man Datsun operation back in 1959 in Pietersburg (Polokwane) and over the years expanded its footprint in South Africa to 55 dealerships, representing 19 different brands. (Read more about the most recent addition, Welkom here: BB Group grows its footprint in Central SA.
Faisal Mkhize, Managing Executive at AVAF, reaffirmed ABSA’s commitment to keep close to the people they are in business with. “Our aim is to be the bank of choice for dealerships. Amid the economic downturn and pandemic-related lockdown, we have worked very hard to improve our approval rate and service delivery as part of driving that vision,” Mkhize said.
Arnold du Plessis, CEO of the BB Motor Group, acknowledged the increase in approval rates’ turnaround time as a contributing factor to having a record month in October. “Despite OEMs that are running low on stock, we had a bumper month, and I am proud of our employees for making up the losses we incurred during the lockdown,” Du Plessis told guests. “It seems that one can have your cake and eat it,” Du Plessis said tongue-in-cheek while cutting the cake.
Fulufhelo Mandane, Regional Head of Dealer Relationships at ABSA Vehicle and Asset Finance, told Dealerfloor
the efforts in delivering exceptional customer service are proving to be vital in the mutual beneficial success of both the bank and the dealer.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can play a vital role for customers to make the right choice when hunting for a pre-owned vehicle.
The South African motor industry has lost one of its longstanding business figures following the passing of Jebb McIntosh, the group chief executive of Combined Motor Holdings (CMH), on Monday, 2 November 2026.
“South Africa’s automotive industry has been AGOA’s largest user, but for the sector the preference has already been largely overridden by the 25% Section 232 tariffs applied on vehicles and components. Losing AGOA adds a further cost to an industry that has already absorbed a significant shock.”
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Ford South Africa employees and dealer partners contributed more than 8 000 volunteer hours to 29 community projects during its 2026 Global Caring Month programme.
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