Mercedes-Benz and Maserati recently launched two significant new dealerships in Menlyn and Bryanston respectively - a 19 000 m2 Mercedes-Benz Lifestyle Centre and a standalone outlet for the luxury Italian brand, which is but one of a few of its kind in the world. 

The new R100-million Mercedes-Benz Lifestyle Centre was opened in Menlyn recently. The new landmark dealership facility forms part of McCarthy's commitment to invest a further R320 million in various new franchises, and its facilities include a dedicated service workshop, new and pre-owned sales, and even a bistro and boutique. 

The dealership was built according to the dealer network vision of Mercedes-Benz South Africa that involves the establishment of one major dealership per metro area, supported by numerous smaller sales and service outlets throughout the city.  McCarthy has responsibility for the Gauteng North region, and also has dealerships in Fountains, Wonderboom and Centurion to support the company's vision and objectives.

"Our aim is to sell about 120 new vehicles and 50 pre-owned vehicles every month," said Ntoko Mogotsi, the dealer principal. "Even though it is a big dealership, we are aiming to provide our customers with an intimate and personalised motoring experience."

According to Dr Hansgeorg Niefer, chairman of Mercedes-Benz South Africa, Mercedes-Benz embarked on a large-scale dealer network strategy to upgrade existing and establish modern and advanced vehicle retail and service facilities. 

"This national endeavour on the part of our franchised dealers has attracted a total collective investment exceeding R1,8-billion," said Dr Niefer.  "This new Menlyn facility is another example of the commitment of the McCarthy Motors Group and Mercedes-Benz to the South African customer. This and all the other new facilities, built by our dealers, are designed and equipped to support customer sales, aftersales and service requirements well over the next two decades."

Meanwhile, Viglietti Motors, the Cape Town-based importer of Ferrari and Maserati products for the past 35 years, has established a standalone dealership for Maserati cars on William Nicol Drive, Bryanston. As a result, Viglietti Motors is now the official Maserati dealer for the Johannesburg area.

The decision to expand into the Johannesburg market was precipitated by the recent success of the Viglietti dealership in Cape Town, but the launch of this particular dealership is also significant because that Maserati and Ferrari vehicles are sold side-by-side at 90 per cent of franchises across the globe and the Bryanston outlet underlines the growth of the Maserati brand.

In the first half of the year, Maserati sold more than 4 500 new models world-wide, which was 42 per cent more than during the first semester last year and Viglietti Motors hope that the brand will also show strong growth in the important Johannesburg market thanks to the dealership’s “great visibility, ease of access, professional sales service and the best technical support”.

The new facility on William Nicol Drive boasts a 350 m2 showroom (retailing new and approved Pre-owned GranSport, GranTurismo and Quattroporte models), a state of the art 300 m2 workshop, parts department, café and merchandise store.