Our world is in peril. It doesn`t take a smart-alec blogger to inform anyone of just how dire our global economic situation is now. Part of the hangover from over focussing on profit in some places, and less on margin slow growth. On the other hand Covid – 19 and the decimation of all your plans. While even the most prolific economist, would not have been able to predict Covid-19, the spread of the disease has taught us all 1 thing. Self Reliance.
Home country first.
Without sounding like a certain former president of the USA, we need to look at ways and means to get our country on the right track. The culimination of power issues with Eskom, and the ensuing scandals from Government through the recent Zondo commission ( insert), have created what would seem like the perfect storm. Combine the Macro Economics of our current situation, with the pandemic, and you get what is called a White Squall. A Wave big enough t take out any plans and aspirations you may have had at the beginning of 2020. Even in to 2021 we see more drama unfold, with water and electricity provisioning, seriously affecting hubs of manufacturing.
What now?
In a way its two things. One is that it is up to us to fix the country. Instead of hoping that politicians change, become less corrupt and build on more policy that leads to sustainable jobs. We know action lies in the plans of the DTI and all other entities that are tasked with ensuring we grow manufacturing. The biggest issue in the financial crisis was people selling financial products, built on financial products. I know the margins are higher, but so too is the risk. Selling something you make, creates a reliance if you provide the stuff the market needs.
One space in particular that we can build upon, is the Automotive industry. We currently make on 1% of the worlds cars. That is counted as cars we export into other countries, and thereby, ensure foreign Dollars get banked with us.
Alll of that money isnt a great deal, in light of all other sectors in SA that contribute to the Fiscus, but there is something we can all do.
Live here, Buy here
For about 2 and a bit years, I sold cars. I was a used car sales man. But not just any car, but the awesome BMW 3 series. Some of you have opinions, but dont roll your eyes here. The quality and reliability of BMW , especially the ones we make over time, have been improved. Rosslyn in Pretoria is known worldwide by automotive company boards that have to make strategic sourcing decisions, and part of that logistics question , involves an investment committee that decide where to spend the dough. In the pst few years, government has made this space open and accessible to overseas businesses, by commiting to partnering with these firms to settle their manufacture and assembling hubs in SA. It takes years for a business to decide on its straegic direction. The phone people like Mc Kinsey – the guys who helped Eskom, and they do calculations on calculators and use powerpoint words like “Strategic product drivers for local emerging markets in Sub Saharan Africa….” etc.
A key thing is that they have decided to build here.
The second thing to consider is yourself. You and your family. If you don’t have a family, then you and your dog or phone. You at some point will need to get another car. They’re both used and new.
Here are a list of manufacturers that currently have variants you can pick from:
BMW SA – BMW X3 – BM SA previously made the 3 Series at Rosslyn,SA.
BAIC
Nissan – NP200, NAVARA
Ford – Ford Ranger ( Engine plant in PE) and Silverton (soon to also include OE partnership to produce VW Amarok at Pretoria plant)
Mercedes – See Class (C CLASS) Saloon model
Renault /Nissan – NP 200, Navara
Volkswagen – Polo, (previous Golf & Diesel Engines for Export)
Isuzu – D MAX Pick up truck/ Actual big trucks (stuff that quite lliterally never breaks, except after many years of neglect)
Mahindra – PIK UP
Hyundai – H100
Judge a man by his actions:
To make sure that I am speaking Truth to my words, here are a list of SA made cars we have had in our extended family including ones that I have personally purchased:
Toyota Tazz x 3 (I owned 2), Durban SA
Toyota Corolla x 2 (I owned a 2009 1.6 auto AKA Dave the reliable), Durban SA
BMW 3 Series, E30, E46(4), E90(2), F30 (4) , (My F30`s AKA Gunther and wifes one Rose) Rosslyn, SA
Toyota Tazz x 3 (I owned 2), Durban SA
Toyota Corolla x 2 (I owned a 2009 1.6 auto AKA Dave the reliable), Durban SA
Toyota Fortuner (2009) – AKA The General Durban, SA
Toyota Hilux x 2 – Durban Assembled
Ford Ranger x 2 – SA assembled – Pretoria, SA
VW Polo x 3 (Have a 1.6 auto now, AKA Stacey 2014)
VW Golf 7.5 2020 – AKA Tomasz (This one we swopped out from a 316 F30 BMW before – articles below)
VW Citi Golf – AKA Stefan 2009, Uitenhage, EC
IF YOU CAN AND NEED TO GET A NEW CAR, OR NEWER CAR. GO BUY A SOUTH AFRICAN MADE CAR NOW!
We need the jobs. The economy needs the stimulus so we can pay off all our debt. We have to get back on track, as a nation, asap.
Thats all for now folks!
This post is not sponsored by anyone.
SA BUYERS GUIDE 
Leave a comment