Managing Director (V.A Car Hire)

Could you please start by introducing your firm, the historical background and its starting point?

We were running a printing company in Namibia for a couple of years. Shortly after independence I believe there was too much politics interfering with the private sector and I was placed under an enormous amount a pressure. I did not see how I could continue so I quite my job. Obviously, I had to find another alternative to earn money. Due to f the fact that I was well connected in Germany and as a result I had a lot of friends visiting me. It occurred that they would always borrow my private cars for their personal use, while they were visiting and this proofed to be very costly. Therefore, I decided to buy a few cars for renting purposes. All in all, that is how my I started my company. From there I constructed a website as I believed that this would be very vital for a firm that is thriving for global. I believe that we have a tremendous advantage in our country because of the fact that we are multicultural, everyone has a link to somewhere else in the world. This indicates that there is chance of missing out to do business and promote our country to tourists. The basic strategy in this country is very interesting as it portrays a true African country but with the flare of a European touch, for example the German heritage in Swakopmund.)

I which year did your business incorporated?

I started in the year 1999.

Could you give us more relevant figures concerning your company and the evolution since 1999?

We have an organization that ensures that the cars that are rented out are in good condition. There are certain rules and regulations that are put together to ensure that there are no perilous cars being ranted out. I buy cars every two years then they have to be replaced. Another aspect is that if the business is in good demand, the cars accumulate kilos faster and therefore need to be replaced faster. It is also very important to have a fleet of cars that are in good shape.

What type of modules do you operate with?

I operate Nissan double cabs, Toyota condors which are from Japan, two little Pollo Volks Wagen. As you can see this is a mixture of different cars for different people with different needs.

Who are your clients that are in your target market?

There are small portions of business men from the private sector. A majority of the people prefer to use larger companies like Avis, for example. However I believe that sometimes the smaller companies provide better services. I have a great amount of people from Germany due to the two countries traditional link, and fewer amounts from other countries like Russia, Australia, USA etc.

What do you think are your major advantages within your entity?

I would have to say that we provide a personal touch to the customer. Let me first finish answering the previous question before coming to this one. Our international market is increasing rapidly with more clients come from across the globe, especially Asia.

What is the percentage of the business people and tourists who make use of your services?

I would say it’s as low as ten percent for the business people who rent cars at the company and the rest is mostly generated from tourism.

Do you plan on purchasing new cars?

It is mainly a matter of calculating your running costs against the profit that possibly achievable. I have ample experience in such computations and would believe that smaller entities have an advantage as they generally have fewer costs, less administration work and it is also very easy to control the conditions of the company’s cars. I believe that buying a new car is always more profitable in the long run due to more security brought about by insurance.

What other advantages are there for entrepreneurs seeking to establish businesses in Namibia.

A web address is very important as it gives the company more exposure and thus attracts a great amount of clients. Good personal skills are also very essential for a business to prosper.

What is the duration for the hiring coverage?

The company’s average is roughly two weeks.

Do you give discounts and special prices for clients who make use of your services for longer periods then the average hiring period?

Yes we have special rates. People who hire the cars for longer periods receive special prices and thus may pay lesser prices. We also provide car rentals with unlimited kilometers for people who make use of our services for a lengthy period.

Do you think road transportation, i.e. cars, is the best way to travel to and around Namibia?

I strongly believe that cars are the best means of transport in Namibia as we do not have the necessary infrastructure for other better means of transport.

How do you foresee this aspect of having ninety percent of your clients generated from tourism?

I would say that the sector is very well off. However, we desperately need to alter our pricing structures within the industry as pricing have rocketed throughout the years. We need to keep the sector as affordable as possible. Price hikes are brought about by fuel increases, exchange rates etc.

Could you kindly inform us of your personal background?

I came to Namibia in 1964. I met my wife here through some family who were living up north. I came here because I had finished my army time in Germany and my family gave me this opportunity to come explore Namibia. Due to the fact that I love traveling, I decided to give it a shot. My wife and I got married and I arrived back here after a timely journey home, I felt so integrated with this country and I just knew that I could never leave Namibia again. Those years I still had a small business in Germany and when I arrived here I also had great difficulty with the languages and adapting to. All in all I found that very difficult. I then worked for a retailing company for a couple of years and subsequently the printing company that I referred to earlier.

What is your main satisfaction as the owner VA Car Hire?

The most important thing is that you control of you life and it is also cheaper as you may work from home. Ultimately this also provides me with flexible and free hours. This also gives me to operate more independently.

Lastly, what is the message that you would like to send to other potential business investors?

I strongly believe very that more people should come here to consider investment opportunities. We should have the direct link to the private sector in order to create greater wariness within the country. I personally feel that I want to be part of changing this country’s market with reference to the country’s unemployment aspects which I really believe is a major concern that needs to be dealt with efficiently.