Menzi Ngubane lives his brand. 

DEALERSHIPS across South Africa were braced for low sales during lockdown, but at VW Barons in Pietermaritzburg, dealer principal Darryl Chetty asked Witness Wheels to give a big thank you to the public for buying 98 vehicles during June.

National new vehicle sales were 30,7% down year-on-year, with 14 086 units sold in South Africa compared to 45 953 vehicles sold in June last year.

Barons new car sales executive Menzi Ngubane said the customers came from far, with one sale to a customer Upington in the Northern Cape, and several to people in the Eastern Cape.

He said some of the sales were to people who did not want to risk contracting Covid-19 while using public transport or taxis and there was also a 21st birthday gift, but most customers just wanted
stylish German engineering they could afford.

Ngubane said sales staff now have to use social media, especially Whats­App, a lot more to communicate with customers. Apart from the Polos, which sold 2 432 units across the Polo and Vivo ranges to retain its title as South Africa’s best selling passenger car range, Ngubane also sold several Caddy models.

“I’m am a performance car enthusiast, but when I don’t want to go fast, I can vouch the Caddy fits any life­style, whether you transport people or bikes. Its road clearance (of 155 mm) allows you to explore where a scenic dirt road leads.

“I’ve been up Sani Pass and to the Kruger Park in the Caddy, and it has all the benefits of a spacious van while driving like a car,” said Ngubane.

Overall, Volkswagen sold the second most vehicles in SA with 4 448 people getting a new VW in June.

The sales figures show Toyota is still SA’s top brand, with 8 442 units sold. Hyundai sold the third most vehicles at 2 457 units, followed by Ford (2 138) and Isuzu (2 040).

SA’s bakkie sales put Hilux on top, with 3 131 sales across the single, extra and double cab rangers, followed by the Isuzu D-Max (1 668) and the Ford Ranger (1 242).