NMH and car dealers join hands for safe travel

Yochanaan Coetzee - With the Namibia Tourism Expo (NTE) just weeks away, Namibia Media Holdings (NMH) has teamed up with some of Namibia's best-known car dealers to highlight not only our recurring theme of safe travel, but to also add even more excitement for those who will attend one of the Southern Hemisphere's most highly anticipated industry expositions.

One of the eight finalists, who will be randomly selected from all NTE ticketholders who visit the three-day event, will get the opportunity to drive home in a brand new vehicle selected by each of the respective dealers. The remaining seven will have the opportunity to buy the vehicles they draw at a vastly discounted rate.

"Travelling by road is an excellent way to see the country and truly soak up what each locality has on offer," says Michelle le Roux, events manager for Namibia Media Holdings, the country's largest media holding company.

"Through the Win-a-Car competition, we aim to reinforce our message around safe travel and showcase some of safest and most exciting vehicles on the local market, while adding to expo's already renowned air of excitement, as each person attending the Namibia Tourism Expo will be automatically entered into the competition," she added.

Good hope

One of the iconic names in the Namibian car industry, Spes Bona, has been building up a sterling reputation over its decades-long presence in the market and with its portfolio ranging from everything from respected global brands to premium pre-owned, car rental services and even automotive accessory fitment, it is certainly a name you can trust.

For this year's Win-a-Car competition, they've prepared a truly unique version of the recently released fan favourite, the Mahindra Thar, in a locally designed ‘Spes Bona spec’.

"We wanted to take the phenomenally comfortable and capable Mahindra Thar and give it a uniquely Namibian twist, turning it into a perfect vehicle for those wanting to enjoy Namibia's wide open spaces in safety and with peace of mind," said Brandon Strauss, new car sales executive at Spes Bona Motors.

Not only does the Thar boast Mahindra's legendary never-say-die engines and engineering, but also comes in the visually appealing and outdoor-proven Willy’s Jeep body style, which combines exterior appeal with outdoor-enhanced design ready for any terrain.

The New Mahindra Thar 2.5 CRDe is currently the country’s most affordable low-range-equipped 4x4, but don’t think they skimped on it in any way.

With its 2.5-litre turbodiesel producing a solid 79 kW and 247 Nm, coupled with a claimed fuel economy figure of 7.5 L/100 km, nearly any adventure is within reach and within budget.

Its interior is comfortable and beautifully appointed, but purposely kept to a minimum in terms of electronic systems to mitigate damage when bogging through Efundjas or the swampy streets of Swakop after a cloudburst.

The 200 mm ground clearance, coupled with beautiful Linexed bars on the back and the stocky front bumper, give the Thar a great visual pop and speaks to its utilitarian nature.

With its great looks, hardy build quality and incredible value for money, the Mahindra Thar is a proposition like few other.

Visit Spes Bona Motors on Independence Avenue in Windhoek to see this exciting model up close and make sure to attend this year's Namibia Tourism Expo at the end of May to get in the running to win this dream machine.