The Sunday Mail
Business Reporter
AMTEC MOTORS, in which Government has a significant stake, has grown its share of car sales on the local market from 6,6 percent three years ago to 7,4 percent, the latest statistics from the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa show.
While the company’s contribution to total industry volumes (TIVs) stood at 1,1 percent in 2014, it has jumped to 7,4 percent at present. The 84-year-old firm has Nissan and Mazda dealerships and recently started retailing of BAIC vehicles, which are assembled locally by sister company Willowvale Motor Industries. Amtec and WMI are controlled by Motec Holdings, a subsidiary of the State-owned Industrial Development Corporation.
WMI recently reopened after a five-year haitus following a joint venture deal with Chinese firm Beijing Automobile International Corporation (BAIC) to assembly pick-up trucks from semi knocked-down kits. The partnership resulted in the formation of Beiqi Zimbabwe – a joint venture between BAIC, WMI and Astol Motors. Much of Amtec’s growth has been realised through the sale of Mazda vehicles. Amtec’s share of the total Mazda units sold in Zimbabwe jumped to 21 percent in 2016 from 6,3 percent in 2014. “Amtec Motors has continuously achieved and surpassed target remaining at the top of the board.
Amtec Motors closed the 2016 financial year at the top of the Dealer Board, recording 170 percent of the business plan set target,” said the company in a recent statement. “The company has continuously invested in training its staff across all departments and branches. To date it is the only dealer in Zimbabwe who has a Nissan Accredited Master Technician overseeing their technical and training needs.”
The Nissan Accredited Master Technician level is one of the highest automobile training programmes conducted by vehicle manufacturers. With four dealerships in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru and Mutare, Amtec is also freshening up its brand by sprucing up facilities countrywide.
The business has indicated that it has been able to aggressively grow its brand through restructuring internal business processes, including leveraging on tie-ups with financial institutions that provide retail finance. “Going forward, the company plans to have world-class dealerships.
There is also need for partnerships with banks to provide home-grown solutions for retail finance so that it becomes possible to provide brand new cars for every segment in Zimbabwe, also targeting first-time car buyers. “Amtec also plans to resuscitate the Mazda franchise for new vehicle sales and after-sales support across all branches countrywide,” added the firm.
Some of the dealerships involved in the scrum for the local market include AMC, Clover Leaf and Croco Motors.
Apart from selling brand new vehicles, Amtec also sells spare parts and accessories, including servicing of vehicles.
