Daimler Trucks and Buses Southern Africa’s used truck business TruckStore has opened its new facility in Krugersdorp, Gauteng, with the aim of expanding its sales volumes, reaching new markets and adapting to industry changes.

During the launch of the facility on May 26, Daimler Truck Southern Africa president and group CEO Maretha Gerber discussed some of the features of the new facility, highlighting that the open space affords the company more flexibility in positioning its truck across the premises, which are categorised according to model years and mileage.

She told Engineering News that customers could immediately be taken to a section of the facility with the vehicles that best matched the customers’ budget and requirements, rather than having to browse through all the vehicles at the site.

“That flexibility is important for us,” she said.

Gerber described the company’s Centurion facility, which was introduced in 2012, as a corporate space that had evolved over time, catering to customers more comfortable with a corporate environment.

Hence, she said the company’s expanded footprint on the N14 provided TruckStore with an opportunity to reach a different customer base, particularly for smaller businesses looking to invest in used trucks.

She said the new facility offered a customer-friendly and flexible environment.

“My expectation is that the team here will find new opportunities for us to sell to customers and create new ones, and also to find out what the solutions are that we need to bring into the used vehicle space that we have traditionally not looked at.”

Gerber also highlighted the saturated used-truck market in South Africa, noting that the sector had about 20 original-equipment manufacturers competing in the space, emphasising the importance of understanding customer needs.

Gerber also emphasised the importance of establishing partnerships with the company’s customers and network.

“It's about creating opportunities to invest in business, uplifting the economy of South Africa, and also expanding into [the rest of] Africa.”