Later this year, the company will open its state of the art Pan African Parts Distribution Centre at the Coega Industrial Development Zone outside Port Elizabeth. The centre, an investment of R250-million, will replace the existing GMSA facility in Kempston Road.
The new facility of 38 000 square metres will house all of the company's aftersales operations under one roof, and aims to meet the needs of the growing parts and accessories business which has an annual revenue of in excess of R1-billion.
Sacke said that like most original equipment manufacturers in South Africa, GMSA was an independent entity which had to fund its own investments.
"It is important for us to continue improving our production facilities as this contributes to the quality of our products that we produce," said GMSA's finance vice-president, Michael Sacke, adding that it was vital for GMSA to focus on quality products and excellent customer satisfaction which helps to maintain the current customer base and lure new ones.
GMSA is forecasting that new vehicle sales in 2010 will be marginally higher than last year.
According to GMSA sales and marketing vice-president Malcolm Gauld, the company is confident that the market will not further deteriorate this year. "We foresee a gradual improvement in sales and project that the 2010 market will come in at 412 000, about a 5% growth versus 2009's 394 000," said Gauld.
He pointed out, however, that there was no doubt that consumers were still facing challenging economic upheaval with steep the rise in food and commodity prices.
"We are mindful that the pending increase in electricity prices can adversely affect cost of living which will curb consumer spending confidence," he said.
SouthAfrica.info
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