What SA can learn from Canada’s road safety success
While the US battles soaring road deaths, Canada achieved an 18% decline through comprehensive safety policies. Could South Africa replicate this success?
- Industry News
- 5 August 2025
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.
While the US battles soaring road deaths, Canada achieved an 18% decline through comprehensive safety policies. Could South Africa replicate this success?
South Africa's premium automotive sector has experienced unprecedented consolidation over the last two years, with multiple luxury brands restructuring their dealership networks in response to declining sales, economic pressures, and shifting consumer preferences.
Almost every dealership has them – listings that sit quietly in the background, gathering cobwebs. Despite looking good on paper, some used vehicles attract minimal buyer attention and quietly chip away potential revenue. But what if those slow movers weren’t dead ends, but missed opportunities waiting for the right tweak?
Advertisement
Advertisement
You can't buy happiness but you can buy cars and that's kind of the same thing.
Unknown
Almost every dealership has them – listings that sit quietly in the background, gathering cobwebs. Despite looking good on paper, some used vehicles attract minimal buyer attention and quietly chip away potential revenue. But what if those slow movers weren’t dead ends, but missed opportunities waiting for the right tweak?
A renewed focus on customer care and the well-being of the employees, is high on the agenda of Jaco du Preez, newly appointed General Manager at Waterberg Toyota in Limpopo.
Isuzu Motors South Africa recently held its annual Dealer of the Year awards showcasing the good results of its dealer network throughout Southern Africa this past year.