INDUSTRY NEWS
BUSINESS FLEET AFRICA | October 2022
10
WWW.BUSINESSFLEETAFRICA.CO.ZA
Suzuki continues sales success
Truck and trailer body building company Serco has intro-
duced a smart trailer system developed in partnership with
South African technology specialists Ikhaya Automation.
Features include real time on board weighing, making
it possible for operators to identify axle overloads and
thus prevent possible fines and delays. The smart system
sends an alarm when axle limits have been exceeded,
enabling adjustments to be made.
Integrating with the trailer’s EBS system, it records
mileage and sends alerts when the vehicle is due to be
serviced. By monitoring supply air pressure to the braking
system, leaks and damaged airbags can be detected,
contributing to a safe and efficient running trailer.
Door opening sensors and temperature probes can be
added and these integrate with auxiliary systems such as
tyre pressure monitoring and GPS tracking to enhance the
performance of a transporter’s fleet management system.
Ensuring a trailer is running optimally using smart
technology helps reduce running costs and minimise
breakdowns while improving vehicle safety. BFA
Suzuki Auto South Africa this week sent a special note of thanks
to its dealer network for its stellar performance in September,
when the brand sold 4 364 new vehicles. This number is close
to its overall best sales and firmly entrenches Suzuki as one of
South Africa’s top three best-selling vehicle brands.
Of the overall sales, the Suzuki dealer network sold 3 135
units or more than two- thirds of all the vehicles. “When a
brand is growing as quickly as Suzuki is growing now, it can
easily lose its connection with its customers. And while a brand
can invest in its marketing and communications, the ultimate
connection is between the dealer and the customer. “That is
why we are so immensely proud of our dealer network, who
have managed to maintain a very high level of customer satis-
faction and repeat business,” says Henno Havenga, Manager of
Auto Dealer Sales at Suzuki Auto South Africa.
Suzuki grew in recent months to 84 dealers, with our newer
dealers in both the large metros and in smaller towns and
cities. “At our Dealer of the Year Awards earlier this year, Suzuki
dealers in rural towns and regions like Queenstown, Vredenburg,
on the West Coast and Mokopane won awards alongside large
dealers in areas such as Bryanston, Johannesburg and in Durban,
Durban South and Cape Town. “This means that our customers
are guaranteed a great experience, regardless of where they buy
their new Suzuki,” says Havenga.
Swift the top-seller
In September, the Suzuki Swift was the top-selling new
Suzuki through the dealer channel. Dealers sold 829 new Swift
models, and the government, rental and fleet division added a
further 503 units for total sales of 1 332 Swift models.
Other models that performed well include the Vitara Brezza
(736 units), the S- Presso (340 units) and the Suzuki Dzire
(417 units).
The same vehicles proved popular to fleet, government
and vehicle rental buyers. In total, Suzuki sold 1 227 vehicles
through these channels in September. BFA
Smart trailers contribute to transport efficiency