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Botswana: Selling Quality Cheap
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The Voice (Francistown)
21 August 2007
Posted to the web 21 August 2007
Zeph Kajevu
John Fouche is a man on a mission. As GWM Botswana dealer principal, Fouche planned to see growth, fast. He is expecting sales of the just unveiled Chinese one-ton bakkies and multi-purpose wagons are expected to double over the next three months as a result of popular demand from both individuals and the corporate sectors.
Fouche told The Voice that the overwhelming response has been largely due the fact that only six months after setting up a car dealership franchise in Gaborone, the availability of warranty, back up, after-sales and related services have boosted consumer confidence for the Chinese brainchild.
"The GWM also rated South America's top selling one-tone bakkie has arrived in Botswana. Yes, I'm talking about GWM, the largest privately owned vehicle manufactured in China. This is the second Chinese car maker to set up locally within the last six months," said Fouche.
He promised Botswana motorists ac opportunity to drive a new range of high quality, compliant and cost-effective pick-ups perfect for the budget buyer looking for exceptional value money proposition.
"We believe we are giving the budget buyer a choice of getting a new pick-up or exploring the used-vehicle market for a similarly priced vehicle," he said, adding "we are dealing in a range of vehicles that has proved its mettle in the left hand drive international markets."
For instance, Fouche said the GWM K-1 bakkie on offer "has been the biggest selling bakkie in South America because of its affordability, reliability and versatility. Rapid growth over the past 10 years has resulted in GWM developing engines, front and rear axles and all core parts for their vehicle range, many of these used in conjunction with international companies such as Bosch and Delphi."
GWM Botswana has launched its car dealership operation with well-priced vehicles part of the opening specials, starting with the GWM 2.2i cab Standard priced from P82 990. The single-cab Lux model, featuring a host of luxury items and trim, such as air con, alloy rims, power steering, leather interior goes for P93 990.
"Then you have the GWM 2.2i Double cab going for a low P118 990, while the Multi-wagon costs only P135 990."
In addition, Fouche said GWM vehicles fully comply with stringent South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) requirements. Also, GWM South Africa has set up the necessary infrastructure to allow for an uninterrupted supply of spare parts, from their parts distribution center in Durban, to ensure efficient service and repairs. "This means we can have any spare part that is out of stock within 48 hours of placing the order."
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GWM Botswana's main dealership in Broadhurst Industrial is fully operational with a showroom, well-stocked parts department and a service bay. Plans are under way to open branches in the country's major centers within a year.
He revealed that GWM vehicles carry a one-year or 60 000 km bumper-to-bumper factory warranty with a 24-hour roadside assistance program in place. Also, there was an option of purchasing a two-year unlimited kilometer extended warranty. One can also take advantage of a service plan for all your car service and maintenance plan that caters for everything except your top up oil, fuel and tires.
GWM bakkies and the multi-versatile wagon belong to the sport utility vehicles (SUVs) family. "People should know that we will not carry a warranty for a vehicle we did not sell. It is always wise to buy a vehicle from a franchised dealer. We have to serve you and we are positively driven."
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