James Bullen
Hertfordshire, UK
Model 991 50 JAHRE
Year 2014
Acquired 2022
Model 992 GT3
Year 2022
Acquired 2022
Model 996.1 CARRERA
Year 1999
Acquired 2023
Model 911 SC TARGA
Year 1983
Acquired 2023
The start to 2024 was not one I envisaged, with work taking me to South Africa for two months. While interesting and personally challenging, it meant that my Porsching came to a standstill, leaving me to enviously read countless Whatsapp messages about how many events my friends in the UK were driving to. Yes, the weather has been better than home, but as they say about Porsche, there is no substitute!
On a positive note, I’ve learnt more about the history of my recently acquired 911 SC Targa and had the pleasure of being hosted at Porsche Centre Umhlanga by Dealer Principal Tracy Elmes. The Centre is a magnificent edifice to Porsche and covers 6,500square meters, although by local standards this is SA’S jointsmallest location. Tracy’s been with LSM Distributors – South Africa’s Porsche importer and authorised dealer network – for 27 years and opened this Centre in 2009 after beginning her career at the Johannesburg outlet. She has Stuttgart in her veins and runs an impressive operation built around strong customer focus and high service standards.
Sparing me more time than I was entitled to on a busy Saturday morning, Tracy gave me a full tour of the facility. This includes a 26-bay workshop, on-site bodyshop and extensive sales floor for new and approved-used Porsche. While heavily stocked with Macans and Cayennes, there were a few sports cars on sale and some visiting the workshop for maintenance.
Taking the opportunity to find out about South Africans’ preferences when it comes to 911s, I asked about current trends and Tracy told me the GTS is by far the most requested and ordered 911 in the present range, closely followed by the typical interest in the GT cars.
The Centre has delivered numerous 992-generation GT3 models, but at the time of my visit was yet to receive a GT3 RS, although “a good number” are scheduled for customer handovers during 2024. A beautiful base Carrera was available from stock, but didn’t look like it was going to see out the day based on the interest it was attracting.
In terms of used 911s, the Centre had a few for sale and one very nice 992 Turbo S awaiting collection. Tracy said the dynamics in the used sector are less specific, with all 992s heavily in demand as owners of older models look to update. It was clear that any pre-owned 911s coming into stock also don’t hang around long. Demand readily outstrips supply, just as with new car sales.
The Centre was recently voted
Africa’s Porsche Centre of the Year and it was easy to understand why. On showing me around the building and behind the scenes, Tracy must have stopped eight or nine times to speak to customers by name and ask about their partners, children and how they were enjoying their current vehicles. South Africa has a traditional customer service style that’s long since dead in the UK, but I simply couldn’t imagine a Dealer Principal doing this, let alone giving me so much time on peak selling day.
I also got to speak to some of the Centre’s long-standing customers who were glowing in their praise of the staff and the service they receive at Umhlanga. I did promise that if I ever move to South Africa, I’ll come to see Tracy for a car and I have no doubt I would be well looked after should that ever happen, but eventually I felt I’d better let her get back to keeping her real customers happy, so said my goodbyes.
This wasn’t the first OPC I had visited while overseas, since a few weeks earlier I stopped by Porsche Centre Mauritius on a short visit to one of our subsidiary companies on the Island. Porsche has a long history in Mauritius, having been distributed there since the 1970s by
ABC Motors. The modern Centre is compact but comprehensive, and the island has its own chapter of the Porsche Club that meets regularly for drives and excursions.
While this is very much SUV territory, the tarmac is good quality, speeds are modest and road manners are good.
Just as in the UK, the scourge of the modern motorist is the omnipresent speed camera that’s annoyingly widespread on the more interesting sections of higher-speed roadways.
Another accommodating host, senior sales exec Romain Baiutti told me that 911s don’t run in vast numbers in Mauritius, but a handful of GT3S exist – including a 992 Touring. Mauritius is also home to one of the limited-edition 50 Years Porsche Design Targa models. Meanwhile, the next 911 to land on the island will be a Carrera S Cabriolet, destined for this paradise by the time this column goes to print.