Automoviles Utilitarios SA (AUSA) hopes to increase its presence in South Africa with the appointment this month of Bell Equipment as its distributor there.

AUSA export manager Claudio Hoyos said the company had been active in Africa for many years, but hoped to lift its profile.

"AUSA has had dealers in other African countries for some years, providing service to thousands of customers all over the continent," he said. "Being close to our customers has always been a priority for (us)."

Bell Equipment will be in charge of marketing AUSA forklifts throughout South Africa. The CH 200 and CH 250, AUSA's spearhead machines, would be successful in the country's construction sector, Mr Hoyos said.