| There may still be a blazing debate on he effects | | | | not worth taking any risks. |
| of the new National Credit Act on a broad range | | | | He has also been deeply concerned regarding how |
| of businesses. But the top metropolitan dealer of | | | | dealerships add on costs from getting the vehicle |
| a luxury carmaker that manufactures BMW fuel | | | | on the road with a tank of petrol to special deals |
| pump gives the law his full backing. | | | | on add-on items such as paint protection and life |
| Des Soutar, the managing director of Port | | | | insurance. He further said that these questionable |
| Elizabeth‘s Continental Cars, spoke after the | | | | practices will be stopped as another effect of the |
| operation received the BMW metropolitan | | | | Act. The industry veteran continued that a more |
| dealership of the year award for 2006-2007. This | | | | positive effect is that private leasing is now |
| was the fifth time in six years that it has won | | | | allowed, and again subject to the precise details |
| the distinction. The honors received is a first in the | | | | being provided up front. |
| German carmaker‘s dealership network in | | | | Moreover, Soutar said that the dealer of the year |
| South Africa. | | | | title had been judged on a range of factors that |
| Twenty-six-year-old Soutar, who is a veteran of | | | | include sales volumes for new and used cars, |
| the motor industry, said in his speech his view on | | | | parts as well as service sales, customer |
| the new credit act that it is good for both the | | | | satisfaction index research, facilities, and general |
| business and the consumers. He explained that | | | | standards. |
| because of the time that the act now takes to | | | | Backed by BMW SA and empowerment partners |
| get financial clearance and increased administration, | | | | Stephen Dondolo and Matthew Klaas in taking |
| there will be negatives from a business point of | | | | over the operation in 1998, Soutar also said that |
| view but that will improve, while, the new law as | | | | volumes had grown in that time from almost 22 |
| a whole adds a lot of protection for all who are | | | | combined new and used cars to nearly 35 new |
| involved. And coming from a consumer’s | | | | and 25 used cars a month, and the addition of 10 |
| point of view, Soutar said the Act means that | | | | motorcycles. |
| they have to be provided with all the transaction | | | | Staff had increased from 60 to 80 and the |
| details that include the vehicle price, additional | | | | company‘s move from Govan Mbeki Avenue |
| charges, installment payments, residual values and | | | | to the new R25- million premises in Greenacres |
| so on in writing up front. | | | | had paid off in a big way. |
| He continued that any dealership that does not | | | | From 60 to 80, staff had increased and the |
| provide that information correctly is subject to a | | | | company‘s transferring from Govan Mbeki |
| fine at a maximum of 10 percent of turnover | | | | Avenue to the new R25- million premises in |
| that could run into millions. He deduced that it is | | | | Greenacres had given something in a big way. |