For most companies COVID-19 brought along many challenges but even more so for JMC Vaal & Active Auto, who were in the process of moving their Vanderbijlpark branch to its new upmarket premises when the lockdown was announced on March 23.
“We were just starting to settle in at our new premises in Louis Trichardt Boulevard when the lockdown announcement came. We had to close up and leave everything in a fairly unfinished state,” remembers Sales Manager Martin du Plessis.
In the months that followed, the already close-knit teams of both the Vanderbijlpark and Vereeniging branch supported each other in various ways and became even closer. Both branches are now fully functional again and are going stronger than ever.
JMC Vaal & Active Auto can boast many achievements through the years, such as Absa’s and MFC’s Dealer of the Year Award in their segment as well as continuously being among the Top Ten Buyers.
Although such awards are being appreciated, JMC Vaal & Active Auto’s main focus is on their clients: Building life-long friendships through dedicated, hard work and excellent service. Finance and insurance can be arranged on the premises and they strive to deliver on the same day. Financing is arranged through the four biggest accredited financial institutions in South Africa.
Active Auto was founded in 2002 by Fred Brehem, Frikkie Botha and Kobus Deysel, who were all already well-known and respected in the car sales industry in those days. In 2015 Fred bought out all the shares and also secured the JMC Vaal dealership last year. Fred, as Dealer Principal and Manager of the Vereeniging branch, is assisted by his son, also named Fred, as second in charge. Fred (junior) also manages the Vanderbijlpark branch.
“We live our motto to be a ‘Dealership with a Difference’,” says the younger Fred. “We want to be there for our clients to fulfil all their needs through life’s different stages – whether it is to provide them with a small student car, a family vehicle, solutions for their work or businesses, and again something sensible for their leisurely retirement.”
Through Active Auto, which focusses on pre-owned vehicles and JMC Vaal which sells new products, the company can now be of service in both these market segments. The company also runs a fully equipped, RMI approved workshop and service centre for JMC in South Gauteng. One of the company’s main objectives is to show fleet vehicle owners the benefits of making the JMC brand their fleet of choice. In 2015, JMC achieved record highs in its business indexes with sales revenue reaching 24.5 billion RMB and volume over 257 000 units.
JMC products include mid- and high-end commercial vehicles and dual passenger/cargo vehicles, offering real value for money, economy, reliability, durability and fuel efficiency. In the bakkie range there are two variants in double cab and 4×4 versions. In the light truck segment, the company offers JMC Carrying Light Trucks and JMC Carrying Box Vans in various configurations.
Seeing JMC Vaal & Active Auto prosper gives Fred Senior lots of joy and satisfaction. Being particularly interested in marketing, it gives him great pleasure to bring the right car and the right customer together. “I appreciate people’s expectations of getting their ideal vehicle and love it when we can make their dreams a reality,” says Fred.
Visit the Vanderbijlpark branch at 272 Louis Trichardt Boulevard or the Vereeniging branch at 27A De Villiers Avenue to see any of their vehicles or call the teams on (016) 931 3730 or (016) 422 7316 to make an appointment for a test drive.
