Labuschagne not only trades in vehicles, but also sells tractors and other farming implements to the surrounding communities. He also services and repairs the brands he represents in the region.
Since opening the business about 13 years ago, Labuschagne and his sales and technical team have not looked back. They represent various brands like Mahindra, Isuzu, Mitsubishi and JAC.
Under the Mahindra brand, they do not only offer sedan, SUV and 4×4 vehicles, but also tractors and farming implements like ploughs.
“Though we represent Auas Motors (AM), Associated Motor Holdings (AMH) and M+Z, we also service their products, and carry out warranty and service plan maintenance on their cars,” Labuschagne told Revs.
Labuschagne says although Auas Motors is in Windhoek and remains the mother company, GAT&T sells and services the AM products on a sub-sales basis.The products get the same support and customer treatment as if GAT&T was a fully fledged AM branch.
On the M+Z side, about two years ago GAT&T signed up to sell, service and market products under the M+Z group.
Although GAT&T does not stock Mercedes Benz, it serves those interested in this premium brand.
Labuschagne says although there are other vehicle types under the mentioned brands, GAT&T focuses on the vehicles that apply to the area it serves.
One of the many benefits of being an auto trader in such a close-knit community is that Labuschagne is well known in the region. Not only is he known in the motor industry, but he is also a force to be reckoned with behind the controls of his rally car. This is evident as his office is decorated with many local and international trophies on display.
Labuschagne’s face lit up as he talked about the AMH group, as there are plans to stock brands like Mitsubishi, Kia, Renault and Hyundai.
On bodyworks, GAT&T is accredited to carry out work under most of the insurance companies.
On the business environment they operate in, Labuschagne says they depend heavily on the farming community and since the region is known as ‘the cattle country’, this affects their business in many ways. If the price of beef drops or the borders are closed for the export of live animals, this negatively effects the whole industry.
On the recent Gobabis agricultural show, Labuschagne said though it drew more exhibitors and fewer visitors, those who attended the show were the focus market they needed for their business to grow.
It is during agriculture shows that the surrounding farmers flock to the venue to see what is new in the industry and at the same time looking around for farming machinery they might need.
Labuschagne said although tractors are not items farmers buy every year, they are doing well under their name. GAT&T recently added the well-known Case tractors to its portfolio.
For many years, tractors were hardly sold at Gobabis, but now there are two tractor brands in town, he says.
Labuschagne says they cater to all farmers, and if they do not have cars, tractors or any farming implement in stock, they source them and deliver what the customers need.
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