MANY South Africans have a dream of owning their own business and having financial independence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Uber offers this \u2013 but there are some conditions. One of the most important pertains to vehicle selection. According to AutoTrader CEO George Mienie, Uber has very specific requirements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is vitally important to meet these requirements when it comes to vehicle selection \u2013 otherwise it is impossible to become an Uber rider,\u201d he warns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The single most important aspect to bear in mind is vehicle age. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt must be a 2013 model or newer. Also, a vehicle must be in good condition, the windows must work, and it must have air-conditioning,\u201d Mienie explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michelle Bell, operations manager of ABT Logistics (a company that provides support to Uber-entrepreneurs), suggests buying a 2014 model vehicle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs it is already November, I strongly advise anyone looking to enter the Uber market as an investor to purchase vehicles from 2014 or newer,\u201d she advises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The next consideration is which vehicle option to pick. UberX is the most popular, along with UberXL and Uber Van \u2013 options required when travelling with more than four people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UberX is available in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth. The vehicle must be a four-door sedan, it must seat at least four passengers in addition to the driver and it must have a 1.4l engine (or a bigger capacity engine). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While salvaged or rebuilt vehicles are not approved, a used vehicle is absolutely fine \u2013 and this is what Mienie recommends. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEveryone aspires to owning a new vehicle but, in the case of an Uber-entrepreneur, this really is not necessary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOf course, you should select a vehicle with very low mileage, bearing in mind the fact that the vehicle will be driven all day every day,\u201d he notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the Toyota Corolla Quest and Volkswagen Polo Vivo are extremely popular UberX choices, Mienie says that there are several other good options too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou need a vehicle that is reliable and fuel efficient. Parts should be readily available (you do not want your vehicle off the road) and the dealers should provide excellent service. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Ford Focus and Mazda3 are also good choices in this regard while the Honda Accord and Suzuki Ciaz are worth considering too,\u201d he contends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mienie adds that Uber-entrepreneurs should also consider a sedan from the Chevrolet stable \u2013 an Aveo, Cruze, Optra or Sonic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThese vehicles often represent good value for money in the used car market,\u201d he points out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on ABT Logistics\u2019 experience in the Uber market, Bell also suggests that Uber-entrepreneurs consider the Toyota Etios, Honda Brio and Nissan Almera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(ISSUED: Haveyoursayza)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MANY South Africans have a dream of owning their own business and having financial 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