MAN Truck & Bus expands its African footprint

Matola Truck & Bus and MAN SA staff along with the One MAN kann team Riaan Manser and his co-driver Nduna Chari

The new facility, built on a 15,000m² property at an initial cost of R30m, boasts a 1,200m² workshop, a 400m² parts department and 600m² of office space. The workshop includes three service bays, eight repair bays and a wash bay.

At the official roof-wetting ceremony of Matola Truck & Bus Mozambique held on 14 September 2015, Da Cruz and his staff members hosted MAN customers from Mozambique, whom he has been servicing from his Swaziland MAN dealership for over 20 years, as well as executives from MAN sub-Equatorial Africa Region, MAN Truck & Bus SA, MAN TopUsed and members of the media.

"Today's event goes beyond the basic task of establishing an automotive franchise. This new dealership is not just another outlet for selling trucks and buses, but represents a step towards establishing an infrastructure capable of supporting the immensely competitive transport industry in the region and to make it an essential partner in the development of the beautiful country of Mozambique," said Da Cruz.

Hi-tech workshop

The new dealership is equipped with the very latest hi-tech workshop and parts inventory management systems, including a computerised oil dispensing system, a five-ton crane and a powerful server running cutting-edge inventory management software which links the Matola parts warehouse with its sister warehouse at Da Cruz's Swaziland MAN dealership.

"Our vision is to manage cost-effective business processes with minimum risks with appropriate approval by our management system ensuring market competitiveness by supplying products and services of the highest standards, on time and within budget," added Da Cruz.

"The absence of any significant rail networks from South Africa and other neighbouring countries to Mozambique make truck transport the predominant logistics provider on the sub-continent and this new dealership, which is perfectly located alongside the N4-Maputo corridor, will become an invaluable service and support centre for long-haul trucks running from Gauteng to Maputo and other ports in Mozambique," said Thomas Ferreira, head of Export After-Sales, MAN sub-Equatorial Africa.

Return on investment

Matola Truck & Bus' order book also suggests a swift return on investment for Da Cruz, stated MAN's Robert Clough, acting head of sub-Equatorial Africa. "The dealership has placed a R2m parts order and has secured a deal to supply 55 VW buses to the Maputo municipal commuter bus operator, TPM. With ongoing foreign investment in Mozambique, the prospects for this new dealership to secure high-volume business are very good indeed."

A highlight of the event was the arrival of the new MAN TGX 26.540 and the ONE MAN kann team, which sees celebrity explorer, Riaan Manser and co-driver, Nduna Chari, undertake an epic truck journey, along with an extreme-adventure film crew, through nine African countries, travelling over 13,000km over 53 days.