DaimlerChrysler South Africa has announced that the McCarthy Retail Group has secured the Freightliner franchise and that McCarthy will start selling and servicing Freightliner custom built trucks from December 1, 2000.
Mr. Geoff du Plessis, Management Board Member for commercial vehicles at DaimlerChrysler SA said that he is very excited by this move and that this will strengthen Freightliner’s market share in the heavy commercial vehicle segment in Southern Africa.
''We are placing an important brand to DCSA in very safe hands. Our customers are of the utmost importance to us and this was the deciding factor in awarding the Freightliner franchise to the McCarthy Retail Group. They have more than 50 years experience in the trucking industry and have all the expertise and resources to deal with truck customers.'' said du Plessis. ''Freightliner’s sales have increased by 98% year on year resulting in a market share of 9,5 per cent of the Heavy Commercial Vehicle market year to date. With the recent launch of the Argosy to the South African market we believe that we are going to further strengthen our position. For that reason we are ecstatic about the McCarthy group now also representing this fine brand,'' said du Plessis. Mr. Frank van Heerden, Managing Director of McCarthy Truck Centre, said: ''This is an opportunity for McCarthy to provide fleetowners with outstanding sales and service capability thus ensuring cost effective mobility.''
''DaimlerChrysler has shown faith in us by awarding us the franchise. The McCarthy group has a very long association with DCSA and we believe that we will do justice to the Freightliner brand,'' said van Heerden.
The McCarthy Retail Group is the largest vehicle retailer in South Africa while its commercial vehicle division is also the largest commercial vehicle retail group in South Africa.