A few years ago the South African car market was set alight by a challenge that irrevocably changed the market back then – a budget car for R9 999.
This week Geely South Africa shuffled the feathers of the local car market again with an informal challenge to its competitors – R99 990.
Back in the early 90s the then challenge was taken up by various manufacturers who took their entry level cars, stripped them, renamed them and relaunched them as new models. But with Geely, it is a case of offering the well-specced mid-size 1.5 MK sedan, without stripping it.
“It is an informal, lighthearted challenge from us to other manufacturers to offer the same great value for money vehicles we do – in terms of specification, size and price,” says Henri Meistre, Managing Director of Geely South Africa, importer of China’s biggest private vehicle manufacturer.
Geely will not be ordering more of its popular MK series before the end of the year, and will be running out the current model. “We are expecting the MK’s hatchback replacement late this year,” says Meistre. “The new model replacing it will be a ‘global’ car, designed by Italy’s Giugiaro. It promises higher quality and equipment levels, putting it into a more upmarket segment.”
Geely South Africa is offering the current MK 1.5 sedan, with standard features such as ABS and EBD, dual airbags, aircon, electric windows, CD/radio, rear park assist and alloy rims, at a competitive R99 990 (incl VAT) while stocks last.
A very limited number of R99 990 MKs are available from Geely dealers country-wide.
