Phuti Mpyane

Phuti Mpyane

This week started on a good note with dealers wanting us to showcase their special offers, reduced prices and incentives.

We can call this week a "Bumper Issue" for bargains.

French company Renault, who reported here last week that it had achieved a great score with reconstruction and reconciliation, has done it again.

This time the company has launched the Sandero hatchback, a product fully built right here in Mzansi. This is wonderful for job creation.

While still on car companies making a commitment to Mzansi, Chery International president Biren Zhou is in the country and he too says Chery is devoted to the Republic and will not be among the Chinese brands that have pulled out recently.

Taking a peek into the turmoil caused by frozen economies worldwide, Ford has officially put its Volvo subsidiary up for sale and General Motors has made a commitment to part ways with its SAAB brand.

It gets a bit worse at GM where hints are rife that the company is to freeze its performance car projects. So love your OPC, it may be the last.

Locally things are getting tough. The strength of the Rand against major currencies is putting undue pressure on local car importers.

Already new prices for new cars have been ringing in and speculation is that some manufacturers will be forced to up prices at regular intervals.

Getting back to bargains, it has to be said that Toyota dealers have gone on a great offensive.

The majority of the "specials" sent this week come from a wide network of Toyota dealers, and include a variety of its products. To maximise efficiency, if you are looking for any Toyota product, hurry to your nearest Toyota dealer as you are bound to enjoy reduced prices, whether on pre-owned or new cars.

And this includes the Hino trucks division. where price cuts to the tune of R100000 or R250000 are available.

For those with a more American taste, Chrysler Jeep Dodge Fourways is running a "Hail of a Sale" special which will carry on until stocks last. On the list are discounts of R100000 for 5,7litre "Hemi" 300Cs and Commanders.

These are stylish gas guzzlers and if you do not have issues with money for refueling, they are not a bad buy.

The company also says R80000 is off Dodge Nitros and R25000 off selected Jeep Patriots, the most sensible Jeep buy in my opinion.

Also, Suzuki is likely to cut its retail prices on products such as the Swift and Grand Vitara.

And, the GM Red Tag sale is still on course.