This Week In The News
NEWS IN SHORT
- South African stocks are having their strongest third quarter for 11 years, and investors see
the gains extending. - Consumer confidence recovered further in the third quarter to its best since 2019, helped by
improved willingness to spend and hopes of an interest rate cut in September, survey data
released on Tuesday showed. - The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has announced a nationwide socioeconomic
protest scheduled for October 7, 2024. - The government has finally revealed the cost of the new driver’s license card printers that it
plans to obtain, and they aren’t cheap.
The Department of Transport (DoT) recently announced that it wants to procure three new
machines at a cost of R334 million per unit, bringing the total cost up to a staggering R1
billion.
- Used electric-car sales show that South Africans are willing to try out the new technology,
provided they can get it at a great price. - South African motorists may be in for a nasty surprise this October as Treasury’s annual
medium-term budget policy statement (MTBPS) could bring with it increases to national fuel
taxes.
September top 12 best-selling new cars
- Toyota Hilux - 2 942
- Volkswagen Polo Vivo - 2 407
- Ford Ranger - 2 382
- Toyota Corolla Cross - 2 045
- Isuzu D-Max - 1 592
- Hyundai Grand i10 - 1 126
- Toyota Fortuner - 1 086
- Chery Tiggo 4 Pro - 990
- Volkswagen Polo - 948
- Nissan Magnite - 869
- Suzuki Fronx - 850
- Toyota Vitz - 814
GWM Haval Jolion with 812 unit are knocking at the door.
The Hyundai Exter has been one of biggest surprises of the month of sales in its first month of 453
units. The Hyundai Exter was rolled out locally earlier this month with the Korean carmaker’s latest
offering coming in at a very attractive starting price of R269 900.
TOP 5 Manufacturer Sales: September 2024
- Toyota - 10,890
- Volkswagen Group SA - 5,885
- Suzuki Auto - 5,023
- Hyundai - 2,841
- Ford Motor Co - 2,823
SEPTEMBER 2024 SALES DATA USED CARS
The 5 Best Used Car Sellers
- Volkswagen
- Toyota
- Ford
- Suzuki
- BMW
Top 10 Derivatives Used Car Sales
| 1. | VOLKSWAGEN | POLO VIVO 1.4 TRENDLINE (5DR) |
|
2. |
SUZUKI | ERTIGA 1.5 GA |
|
3. |
NISSAN | NP200 1.6 A/C SAFETY PACK P/U S/C |
|
4. |
FORD | RANGER 2.2TDCI XL P/U D/C |
|
5. |
VOLKSWAGEN | POLO VIVO 1.4 COMFORTLINE (5DR) |
|
6. |
CHERY | TIGGO 4 PRO 1.5 LIT |
|
7. |
CHERY | TIGGO 4 PRO 1.5 LIT CVT |
|
8. |
CHERY | TIGGO 7 PRO 1.5T EXECUTIVE CVT |
|
9. |
VOLKSWAGEN | POLO 1.0 TSI COMFORTLINE |
|
10. |
VOLKSWAGEN | POLO 1.0 TSI COMFORTLINE DSG |
Top 3 Used Commercial / Bakkie Sales
| 1. | NISSAN | NP200 1.6 A/C SAFETY PACK P/U S/C |
|
2. |
FORD | RANGER 2.2TDCI XL P/U D/C |
|
3. |
FORD | RANGER 2.2TDCI XL A/T P/U D/C |
AVERAGE AGE OF USED VEHICLES: 4y-4m
The Benefits of a complaint register.
- A complaint register in the motor industry enhances compliance by systematically documenting customer grievances, ensuring that businesses adhere to legal requirements and industry standards.
- This transparency helps mitigate risks and fosters accountability.
- Additionally, it significantly boosts customer satisfaction by providing a structured process for addressing concerns, demonstrating that the business values feedback and is committed to resolving issues.
- A dedicated email address for complaints further enhances this process, allowing customers to easily submit their concerns and ensuring that all communications are centralized.
- Requiring complaints to be submitted in writing also promotes clarity, enabling suppliers to better understand the issues at hand and respond more effectively.
- By delving into customer experiences, companies can ultimately improve their services and build trust with clients.
- A complaint register also helps suppliers maintain an organized process with proper daily follow-up.
- By tracking each complaint from initiation to resolution, suppliers can ensure timely responses and efficient communication
- Best of all, this register provides an overview of areas where you can improve your vehicle preparation before putting them on the sales floor.
A Closer Look at Motor Industry Complaints: The Positive Reality Behind the Numbers
In recent months, our industry has faced a barrage of criticism, often painted with a broad brush by consumer journalists. High winds of discontent have swept through the media, focusing on isolated incidents and generalizations that do not accurately represent the true state of the motor industry.
However, when we dive into the actual figures, a very different picture emerges.
According to data from the Motor Industry Ombudsman of South Africa (MIOSA), from March 1, 2023, to February 29, 2024, there were 9,104 complaints related to motor vehicles. At first glance, this number may seem significant. Yet, when contextualized against the total sales figures for the same period + 960 000, it reveals a strikingly low complaint rate of just 0.9%.
Breaking it down further, we find that approximately 60% of these complaints were resolved in favor of the dealer. This adjustment leads us to a more accurate count of 3,641 legitimate complaints for the year, reducing the complaint rate to an impressive 0.4%.
If we consider the cases that reached the National Consumer Commission, the figures become even more sterling.
These figures challenge the narrative propagated by some consumer journalists. Rather than reflecting widespread dissatisfaction, the data indicates that the vast majority of transactions in the motor industry are completed without issue. It highlights the industry's commitment to resolving complaints effectively and maintaining customer satisfaction.
As we navigate through this challenging landscape, it’s crucial to focus on these positive statistics. They serve as a reminder of the hard work and dedication within our industry to ensure that customers are treated fairly and that their concerns are addressed promptly.
In conclusion, while the media may continue to emphasize the negatives, we must recognize the real achievements and positive trends reflected in the MIOSA data. With a complaint rate of only 0.4%, it is clear that the motor industry is performing well, and the overwhelming majority of consumers are satisfied with their experiences. As we move forward, let’s continue to promote transparency, celebrate our successes, and work collaboratively to address any remaining issues.
1 March 2023 to 29 February 2024
| Number of complaints received | 9 104 |
| Percentage closed in favour of consumer | 40% |
| Percentage closed in favour of dealer/service provider | 60% |
See breakdown below:
Breakdown of complaints received
| PROBLEM CATEGORY | % OF COMPLAINTS |
|---|---|
| BODY | 6.75% |
| ELECTRICAL | 2.78% |
| CONTRACT ISSUE | 20.65% |
| ENGINE | 26.68% |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 0.76% |
| GEARBOX | 6.29% |
| IGNITION SYSTEM | 0.75% |
| INCORRECT FUEL | 0.05% |
| INTERIOR | 3.82% |
| LEGAL | 19.32% |
| POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE | 2.97% |
| STEERING | 0.78% |
| UNDER CARRIAGE | 1.45% |
| VEHICLE SERVICE | 2.54% |
| WHEELS | 3.41% |
| WINDOWS | 1.00% |
Quote of the week
People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.