MAIN FEATURE: MOTOR INDUSTRY FOCUS
TOYOTA OPENS NEW SHOWROOM text by Michael Nott photographs by Michele Fortmann
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OYOTA was excited to open their new premises on the 23rd March this year, combining their new showroom, parts distribution centre, workshop and administration offices. It was officially opened by Mr Masakazu Ohira, CEO of CFAO Automotive Equipment Services for East and Southern Africa and Mr Andre Venter, Vice DBM for commercial vehicles, Toyota Tsusho Africa, Hino Division was also in attendance. The launch was attended by around 100 guests, including local captains of industry, fleet managers, and people in the related industries. It’s conveniently situated at 67 Mutare Road in Msasa, just off Steven Drive. Previously Toyota had their showroom in the centre of the CBD on Robert Mugabe Road (near the 4th Street, opposite Road Port) and their workshop on Robert Drive in Msasa, so this was a great move to consolidate all their operations under one roof. It also incorporates their Hino dealership for sales, spares and workshop. The premises was originally three separate structures of offices, a warehouse and workshops with no internal connections, and
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there was no vehicle showroom. With the help of Keith Skinner from Keith Skinner Architects (KSA) it has now been transformed into a fully integrated Toyota and Hino centre which includes the smart new Toyota showroom, the administrative offices, the spares distribution centre, state of the art workshops and wash bay. There are currently 29 workshop bays for Toyota with a further 9 for Hino.