
Asian brands, EVs dominate 2025 Best Buy Awards
The 2025 Best By Awards, announced by Kelley Blue Book, reflect the rapidly shifting landscape of the automotive market not only in the USA, but also elsewhere.
- Industry News
- 17 April 2025
Rola Motor City has turned to experiential marketing with the creation of an impressive off road track next to its facility in Somerset West.
The Rola Motor City represents Mercedes Benz, Volvo, Fiat, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Mazda, Honda, and Jeep it it is specifically the off road products from the different brands that are drawing potential customers to the facility.
Off-road brands need an off-road track, so in co-operation with Craig Parsons, a specialist 4x4 trainer for the past 12 years, the group built a technical a 4x4 training track right next to its dealership. This track not only allows customers the ability to experience the capabilities of various off road vehicles on sale, but to receive the necessary training before heading out on holiday.
Says Craig: “Our courses will teach you the skills to get yourself out of trouble if you get stuck in the sand, mud or any other tricky off-road situation. Off-roading is totally different to ordinary driving on the road. Owners will learn how to handle their vehicle and drive with finesse on unforgiving terrain, going as slow as possible, but as fast as necessary.”
Off-road and 4x4 training courses are offered by the Offroad4x4 Training Centre, and Rola Motors offers special days from time to time. The 4x4 days at the track are held frequently. The latest was at the end of October, which took the form of a bakkie shoot-out.
At the bakkie shoot-out, no less than eleven different vehicles were on test. Prospective customers were invited for a road test drive and be driven through the 4x4 Training Track to demonstrate the capability of the various off roaders.
At the moment the 4x4 training track is not open to the general public because of legal and logistic constraints, but it is open to current and potential Rola customers who what to buy a 4x4 vehicle. It is also used for special activity and training days.
In the face of a shifting premium automotive market, Audi South Africa is also currently re-aligning its retail operations according to the new reality where the premium vehicle sector has contracted to nearly a third of its size compared to a decade ago, with 2024 marking the lowest level yet.
The Halfway Group has opened the doors to a brand-new Lexus dealership, located in Lynnwood, Pretoria, with Chris Jones as the Dealer Principal.
Stellantis has announced the expansion of its multi-franchise dealer network with the addition of the Fiat and Jeep brands to the existing CMH East Rand dealership in Boksburg, Gauteng.