At Halfway Toyota in Howick, workshop foreman Devesh Saamcharan stole a march on his Japanese colleagues in the Toyota Motor Corporation when he assembled a few foot-operated, hand-sanitiser dispensers back in May 2020.
The dispenser proved to be a novelty in May, before it became commonplace in dealers across South Africa.
Toyota announced recently that its Kamigo Parts Centre in Japan will be making up to 2 500 sanitiser stands a month, which are to be sold or leased to dealers in Japan from December onwards.
Saamcharan told Dealerfloor he built his stands as strong but as cheaply as possible, using wood and old clutch housings that he salvaged at the dealership. To this he added only a few new bolts, making it a very cost-effective solution for the dealership.
The sturdy stands are in daily use at the busy Halfway dealership, but despite being stepped on many times a day, are still cleaning hands as fast as the bottles can squirt.
Strong demand, booming exports and a flood of new Chinese entrants are transforming South Africa’s automotive sector at a pace rarely seen before.
Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has reaffirmed the enduring popularity of its iconic Hilux, celebrating the largest recorded gathering of Hilux vehicles at the 2026 Nampo Harvest Day.
The Automobile Association of South Africa and Global NCAP have raised serious concerns following the crash test results of the previous generation Toyota Starlet, which received a zero-star rating for adult occupant protection in the latest #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
Dealership service departments know the pattern: the moment warranties and service plans expire; a portion of owners quietly migrate to the independent aftermarket.
Mercedes-Benz Vans South Africa announced its top-performing Agents and Dealers for 2025, recognising their exceptional dedication, customer service and commitment to the brand.
In today’s automotive retail environment, where new vehicle prices keep climbing beyond the reach of many consumers, used vehicles have become the backbone of dealership profitability.
