SONDOMBILI – the way forward for cheap transport?
Anyone that has been to China or Thailand in the East or Italy in Europe will remember the thousands of scooters and mopeds buzzing around the streets…
SONDOMBILI is Zulu for ‘two-wheeler’ – translated into English it means scooter. A scooter generally has an engine displacement of 50cc or less and are loved for their size, fuel-efficiency and cute looks…
Some brig…
ht sparks in South Africa have a plan to make scooters the cheap transport alternative in a country where the majority of citizens get around by taxi…
Check out this article in the Mail &Guardian – but basically sums were done and it is estimated that the average taxi-commuter spends about R750 on fares per month – with this same amount of money the average commuter could purchase a scooter, paying it off easily over a period of three years so not encouraging major debt.
Honda and a company called Sondombili Solutions then hatched a clever plan to introduce ‘the Honda Cub scooter, which is renowned for its low fuel consumption and its reliable design.’
‘Honda and Sondombili have structured an innovative package that will provide commuters with a scooter for R13 695, or just more than R600 per month, plus all the equipment that is necessary to ride a two-wheeler.
The purchase price includes training, helmet, gloves and a rain suit as well as a refundable learner’s licence booking fee. Honda SA will provide service and warranty support through its extensive network of motorcycle dealers.’
However, as the Business Report points out, this may be a cunning stunt bur there are already cheaper bikes in existence in ZA – One being the GOMOTO GT125 which will cost you only R6999 and you’ll receive a FREE waterproof gomoto jacket and pants, valued at over R1500 if you order now – check out the site here.
Then there’s a cheap scooter imported by JONWAY’s Douglas Jung – the Business Report article tells us that ‘Douglas Jung has been importing scooters from China for a year, including a basic model selling at R8 500 and one with added extras at R11 000.’
The obvious challenges are the weather and the safety of a motorbike – we at REPRESENT think that the concept of them being the next transport solution may have to be targeted at the younger generation who are willing to take risks and set the trend – people that read REPRESENT for example 🙂 Bikes are still considered a WHITE thing – that perception needs to change with some clever advertising and long-term marketing campaigns. But we wish all the scooter companies luck and really do hope that they pull this off. We’re a country open to innovation – let’s give it a go!!!!
PIC COURTESY OF GOMOTO
