Aliwal Auto Ford in Aliwal North is set on a winning path with a new management team taking the dealership from a difficult period to reaching sales targets and winning customers back.
So says Heinrich Schoeman, new Dealer Principal at this rural Ford dealership in the Eastern Cape.
The family dealership belongs to Tobie Potgieter, well-known business man with various real estate interests, his wife and daughter, Noreen. It was established in 1996 and later also included Ford satellite dealerships in Barkly East and in Mossel Bay, both of which were later closed.
“We are on course and are consistently achieving and exceeding our sales targets since the beginning of this year. Our workshop, with three master technicians and a parts department, is doing well, and customers are returning, with new ones added regularly. Our Service Department got a 91.75% and Parts Department a great 93% ranking for the 2023 Merit Club in the Dealer of the Year contest.
“Our new management structure and our approach to doing business underwent radical changes. We appointed a new Sales Manager who will predominately get our pre-owned car division back on track, so to speak. WP van Wyk is an experienced salesperson who previously worked for another dealership in the Southern Cape,” Heinrich tells Dealerfloor.
“We are thinking outside the box to use the well-known phrase, to attract more business. Our Ranger bakkies are our top selling vehicle, and the farming community around Aliwal North is our largest customer base.
“For this reason we are getting more involved with the agricultural sector by sponsoring events linked to this sector, and we plan a number of incentives to make deals more attractive to farmers. This will include added value offerings that will benefit farmers in a big way,” Heinrich says.
He tells us they are involved in different sponsorships across a wide spectrum, from assisting with projects like helping street children take part in sport and giving their lives new direction, to sponsoring numerous community projects as well.
“Business conditions are tough, and our dealership, which is a local family-owned business, went through a difficult period owing to some unforeseen circumstances. We are, however, on solid footing now, motivated and determined to keep our doors open and our business as a part of the local community, which includes getting the right people into the dealership to change our fortunes.
“We have an exciting product range with the new Ranger doing extremely well, and the brand-new Territory that’s being launched will most certainly get its fair share of attention too, also here in Aliwal North,” Heinrich says.
Volkswagen has expanded the new Tiguan model line-up with the addition of two new engines, a 2.0 TDI with 110kW and a 2.0 TSI with 140kW. Both engines are offered with a 7-speed DSG transmission.
DFSK South Africa announced that effective immediately, DFSK will be extending its warranty offering on its new DSFK KO1S Bakkie and DSFK C35 Panel Van to a 50 000km / 2-year warranty for all new customers ensuring greater peace of mind and customer satisfaction.
The challenge for us is to maintain our Dealer of the Year status in the future as it symbolises the effort we put in to create the best environment for our customers and our staff.
Advertisement
Advertisement
If you are not taking care of your customer, your competitor will.
Bob Hooey
The challenge for us is to maintain our Dealer of the Year status in the future as it symbolises the effort we put in to create the best environment for our customers and our staff.
The team at Jetour Alberton recently took to heart the manufacturer’s pledge to engage in corporate social responsibility initiatives. The dealership visited Umkhathizwe and Nageng primary schools to make a tangible difference in the lives of school children.
BMW Group South Africa hosted its 2024 Retailer of the Year Awards recognising the achievements of its retail network across the BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad brands.
