New MAN TopUsed franchise, a long-term investment in the heavy commercial vehicle industry
The unpredictable nature of commercial transport in southern Africa has made cost-predictability an increasingly important buying criterion for transport operators.
Having a buy-back agreement signed with MAN and supported by their TopUsed franchise gives the customer the assurance of vehicle replacement capital. MAN Truck & Bus South Africa issued its first independent TopUsed franchise to Port Elizabeth Truck & Bus, a subsidiary of AAD Group.
“MAN has always recognised the importance of a proprietary used-vehicle division as a value-driver in the sale of its new trucks and buses…”
This brings MAN‘s national TopUsed footprint to six dealerships. Port Elizabeth Truck & Bus (formerly AAD Truck & Bus) has been an independent MAN new vehicle sales and service dealership since 2008 and is located in Algoa Park, just off the N2.
Geoff du Plessis, Managing Director of MAN Truck & Bus South Africa, said: “MAN has always recognised the importance of a proprietary used-vehicle division as a value-driver in the sale of its new trucks and buses. Having a MAN TopUsed dealership in Port Elizabeth linked to one of our most successful private-capital dealer partners will significantly enhance our market offering in the Eastern Cape region.“
As an extension of the MAN brand, MAN TopUsed has well-defined quality management guidelines to ensure customers purchase with confidence, said Emir Solapgir, Head of MAN TopUsed SA.
MAN TopUsed sales personnel are trained to offer fleet consultancy services to customers, including optimum vehicle selection and the sourcing of trailers
“There is 100% transparency on the status of every TopUsed truck or bus, with every vehicle on offer having undergone thorough checks to ascertain overall condition and to ensure the mileage is genuine.“
To further differentiate itself from competitor used-truck and bus dealers, MAN TopUsed sales personnel are trained to offer fleet consultancy services to customers, including optimum vehicle selection and the sourcing of trailers.
This is especially important for start-up operations, which form the bulk of TopUsed’s market base. “Financing facilities via MAN Financial Services is another key market differentiator for TopUsed dealers.
“Our MAN dealerships form part of the AAD group of companies which employs over 450 people and has an annual turnover in excess of R900 million…”
“Customers have easy accessability to the MAN TopUsed website and are able to view our range of quality certified vehicles. Each MAN TopUsed Centre has access to the full range of the used vehicles in the central stock of MAN TopUsed SA, and customers can purchase any unsold vehicle. Our vehicles are readily transported countrywide to customers from any MAN TopUsed Centre,“ added Solapgir.
Mike Elsbury, AAD Shareholder and Director, said: “Our MAN dealerships form part of the AAD group of companies which employs over 450 people and has an annual turnover in excess of R900 million. The new TopUsed franchise is part of our long-term investment in the heavy commercial vehicle industry in Port Elizabeth.”
Vehicles forming part of AAD’s TopUsed dealership inventory will be processed and serviced at the Port Elizabeth facility, constructed to meet stringent international quality standards.
The workshop has 10 service bays, a wash bay, and is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, including proprietary MAN diagnostic tools, MAN-specified inspection pits and a brake roller tester facility.
