By Isanella Patoir
Ansa Motors, a subsidiary of the Ansa McAl Group of Companies, on Thursday announced its partnership with internationally renowned truck and bus manufacturers Fuso and Freightliner.
The company is now the sole distributor of those brands, facilitated through an alliance with Interamericana Trading Corporation.
Members of the business community, the majority of whom are being viewed as potential customers, were invited to Ansa McAl’s main office at Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara.
While there, they were briefed on Ansa Motors’ expansionin the motor industry and the benefits that could be derived for their businesses through this new collaboration.
The Country Head of Ansa McAl Group of Companies in Guyana, Beverley Harper, envisaged that the partnership will create a landscaping change to the way the transport of products and goods is done in the country.
“For way too long our country has suffered from hand-me-downs, second hands doosies and re-conditioned lotteries. They’re like a box of chocolates; not-so-good chocolates- you don’t know what you get until you drive one. Very slowly, Ansa Motors wants to change the game. We ourselves have been importing brand-new Fusos for years at Ansa McAl Trading,” Harper explained.
She added, “This difference is astonishing, as we have from time-to-time, ventured into the second hand game, so (we) know the discernable differences- warranties versus breakdowns, gas guzzling versus gas sippers, after-sale service bar none versus zero service.”
Rishi Basdeo, the General Manager of Fuso and Ansa Motors, said the company was meticulous in assessing what was needed in the market, and of course what was lacking.
Among the observations were improving infrastructure in the country, and more importantly, a prevalence of foreign used derelict vehicles, which were abandoned due to a combination of age and lack of after-sale support.
“The one thing that was consistent was there was a need for good commercial vehicles from the individual entrepreneur, (and) small businessman straight up to a corporate entity and public utility company,” Basdeo divulged.
Basdeo added that the company’s business strategy is one that is premised on partnership development with the client, as it is keen on forging a philosophy and culture that is built on value for money.
“We’re not here to sell you a truck; we’re here to be your partner in your business to help improve your efficiency and returns.Selling you a truck is not our primary motive. We want to provide strong after-sale support. Again, we have the competency within the team here (in Guyana) and in the regional and international teams to provide that support,and we’ve seen that that a critical factor that is lacking in the industry here,” Basdeo told the gathering.
