Yokohama Trading, an international automotive dealership on Thursday officially launched its local headquarter at Plantation Sophia, East Coast Demerara, Georgetown, with a promise of aftersales service to customers. Representatives from Republic and Scotia banks were at the event to assist customers with financing.
The business’s General Manager Deepak Balradj said customers who worry about buying certain brands of vehicles can now be assured that the company will supply the necessary spares parts for their respective purchase.
“Our company wants to provide good customer service and good products, all vehicles are coming directly from Japan, we have sold 556 vehicles so far in Guyana and we have not gotten any negative feedback from customers, since most like our service and the deals we give them,” he said.
Persons can purchase vehicles at the local Yokohama Trading office through cash, hire purchase or through the bank. And the company does not charge any legal fees in their hire purchase options.
“All vehicles come with three months warranty on the engine, transmission and air-conditioning. Anytime customers have problems with their vehicle and they need parts, they can come to us and we will provide the product for them…. We want to introduce new types of vehicles that include brands such as Nissan, Honda, Suzuki, Toyota, Isuzu, Toyota, Mazda, GMC and others,” Balradj explained.
The company is based in Suriname and plans to extend operations to Jamaica and Barbados, in addition to opening another outlet in Berbice.
The Yokohama Group of companies dates back to 1992, when a couple of friends set up their own company in Paramaribo, Suriname, Latin America, called Yokohama Trading N.V.
They started importing used automobiles from Europe. Over the years, the company expanded and shifted to the imports of mainly Japanese vehicles.
From that point onwards, the company grew rapidly and became a significant automobile importer and distributer in Suriname.
Acquiring import contracts for brands such as Chery Tiggo SUV’s, Great Wall Wingle compact pickups, Changan mini pickups, JMC light trucks, King Long busses, Dong Feng dump trucks and also Sany excavators, the company is preparing actively for the future.
During the last 15 years, the group diversified and expanded its activities significantly, establishing many companies.
From 2000 on, the Yokohama Group of companies expanded its activities to Europe, Africa, Asia and further in Latin America.