Chery names its first bakkie Grootman
Chery has named its first bakkie for South Africa Grootman, a name chosen by South Africans. The model is planned to make its local debut in the first quarter of 2027.
- Product News
- 2 October 2026
In a recent Forbes study, it was again confirmed that it can cost a business up to five times more to acquire new customers, as opposed to retaining the ones you have.
It is startling to see that 44% of businesses still have a greater focus on getting new customers versus 18% that focus on keeping them. Research done by Frederick Reichheld of Bain & Company in fact shows that by increasing customer retention rates by 5%, it increases profits by 25% to 95%.
The Directors at Secunda BMW understand this concept fully and recently celebrated one of their favourite and most loyal customers, local attorney Evert Underhay, who has purchased no fewer than 15 cars from them since 1993.

According to Jacques van der Westhuizen, Dealer Principal and co-owner of Secunda BMW, providing customer service to a buyer on the day of purchase, with some aftersales follow-up and ensuring good service at the workshop are basic rules.
“However, to make sure we keep our customers coming back, we just love giving them the best interaction with us that we can… every.single.time,” he emphasises. “It doesn’t matter if they call any of our employees on a Monday morning first thing, or on a Friday afternoon after we have closed, we always treat them as friends, because that is what they have become.”
Underhay concurs, stating that he cannot fathom being disloyal to Van der Westhuizen and the BMW team. “Just the idea of buying a car from another dealer gives me an anxiety attack,” he told Dealerfloor. “I am a super BMW supporter, had the opportunity to visit the BMW museum in Munich, and I have owned a variety of models over the years, but I can say with all honesty that it is the treatment I receive at Secunda BMW and from Jacques that keeps me coming back.”
You just must drive the new Mazda CX-5 to understand why this could be a game changer for the iconic legacy brand that was once one of the top-selling brands in South Africa.
The opening of GWM Hyde Park marks a return to familiar territory for dealership owner Bradley Scorer, whose career in the South African motor industry began in the same area decades ago.
Mitsubishi Motors Bedfordview has been awarded the prestigious Overall Dealer of the Year title in the brand’s annual dealer evaluation and awards program, recognising its outstanding performance and commitment to excellence across all areas of the business.