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The pandemic has affected all automotive manufacturers and importers differently, but the general experience has been a negative one, with a decline in sales across the board.

Buyers aren’t necessarily looking to invest in a new car, even if the one that they’re driving isn’t doing its job any longer.

This could account for a market trend, reported by Business Day in January, that saw the sale of new cars plummeting 29,1%, from 536 612 sales in 2019 to 380 449 units in 2020.

Most of the damage was done during the hard lockdown when factories and dealerships were shut down, but sales didn’t really recover to prior levels once they could open shop again.

The trend has continued into 2021. In February, new car sales dropped by 13% from figures recorded in the same month in 2020.

On the other hand, BusinessLIVE spoke to WesBank CEO Chris de Kock who said that at the start of March, used-vehicle sales were “flying”.

The shift towards used vehicles is driven by affordability. Within the new-car market, there has been a strong swing towards cheaper vehicles.

De Kock says more customers are “willing to substitute high-profile brands with more practical and affordable options”.

When buying a used car, customers are able to drive high-profile brands off the floor at a more affordable price, which means that that substitution isn’t necessary.

More people opting for used cars is also great news for those looking to sell. But, in a market where consumers are taking a careful approach to buying and selling cars, you need to ensure that you’re making the right moves.

Brands like getWorth can help consumers feel safe, with product offerings like getMore and getSeven.

getMore is a first-of-its-kind product for car sellers. Once you’ve provided getWorth with the necessary details by filling out an easy online form, they access the vehicle data and send you a firm offer, and pay an upfront cash amount when you sell your car to them.

To sweeten the deal, when your car sells, they’ll pay you a bonus amount.

If you’re buying a car, getSeven allows you to return a vehicle within seven days or 700 kilometres for any reason. If you purchase a car and realise it’s just not for you, you can send it back, no questions asked.

getWorth also recognises that even after their inspections, pre-owned cars can have some unforeseen issues, which is why they have created something called a ‘30-day promise’.

If anything goes wrong with your car, mechanically or electrically, within 30 days of purchase or 3 000 kilometres on the road, they’ll sort it out for you.

getWorth is a much-needed automotive player in the market, especially during uncertain financial times because they offer buyers a range of options, tailored to their specific needs, while sellers are assured that they’re being paid what their car is actually worth.

In other words, their greatest offering is peace of mind.

[source:businessday&iol&businesslive]