Super new dealership opens

The dealership has been operating since last November, but the official opening took place only recently. However, the importance attached to the official opening was such that it was attended by Junsuke Ando, GM of Hino Motors' Africa and Europe division. He said that although the majority of sales take place in Japan and southeast Asia, the continent of Africa was a region showing rapid growth with high potential.

"Hino recognises that there will be no Hino global success without Hino success here in SA," Junsuke said.

"For this reason we are delighted that a high profile public company such as the Super Group has made a substantial investment in a new Hino dealership."

Calvyn Hamman, the senior vice-president, sales and marketing of Toyota SA Motors, of which Hino SA forms a part, said they were very proud of the manner in which the Hino brand is flourishing in the "ultracompetitive" South African truck market.

"This latest investment in a new dealership is another sign of confidence in a brand which has been in SA since 1965 and remains the market leader in Japan.

"We are very pleased with the commitment from Super Group through CEO Graeme Watson and chief operating office Alistair Rawstorne and really appreciate the strategy and planning put into place by Roelf Strydom, franchise executive for the Toyota Group within Super Group and Patrick Arthur, the dealer principal, in bringing this new dealership to life.

"This is a further example of confidence in the Hino brand as last year we had the renaming of Hino Pretoria North to Hino Tshwane and relocation to spacious new premises in Pretoria West, as well as the appointment of a Hino dealer in Cradock. In addition most of our dealers have either rebuilt or substantially refurbished their facilities over the past three years so we "¦ are now well set for future growth."

The facility is currently staffed by 17 people, but this number is planned to grow to 35 as the dealership gains momentum. The facility has six double work spaces making 12 bays, and there is space for another six double bays for future development. There is an extensive parts stock on site and this is replenished at least twice a day.

The workshop facility is equipped to undertake Certificate of Fitness (COF) testing but still awaiting full accreditation to conduct COF inspections. It also has an express pit lane to minimise downtime for urgent work when required.

The facility is already eco-friendly in that all the lights are movement sensor controlled and plans are in place to recycle rain water for the wash bay.

"Hino South Africa is fully committed to supporting Hino Isando to ensure its success, using Hino Total Support as one of our key strategies, because the establishment of a strong dealer network is a critical part of our 2020 strategy to achieve a market leadership position in SA," said Hamman.

Source: Business Day