“There isn’t a single reason why we cannot build on our sales success for January. We have increased our sales constantly on a monthly basis to the point that we set a record with 161 dealer sales in the first month of 2022.”
So says Lance Selley, Dealer Principal and a Director of Bassonia Suzuki in Johannesburg, about setting a new overall dealer sales record of 161 new Suzuki sales in January this year. Their success helped propel Suzuki to its highest level ever and helped set a new overall dealer channel record for the brand in the new month.
Lance says Suzuki Bassonia, part of the Ipop Motor Group, has built its success slowly but surely to the point where it is one of the top selling sites for Suzuki and no longer a satellite dealership of another Suzuki facility. The Ipop Group specialises in Suzuki dealerships but has a number of other brands in its portfolio as well.
What makes Bassonia Suzuki’s sales success even more significant, is the fact that it was achieved in a month where basically all dealerships reached and broke their monthly targets. Bassonia Suzuki’s sales of 161 units is also well above its closest rivals of the five top Suzuki dealers in the country.
Asked about the reason for their success, Lance says it is primarily his staff who render excellent service.
“Our staff are phenomenal in how they execute their tasks. Add to that the first class-support of the Ipop Group and Suzuki Auto South Africa and a product range second to none and you have a winning recipe.
“They are all team players, assisting where they can and helping us to satisfy the needs of clients no matter what it takes. We sell vehicles across the country, and our After Sales Department has a solid reputation that has spread through word of mouth, making it exceedingly popular,” Lance tells Dealerfloor.
“We have won numerous awards, most recently an award from WesBank and Elite Dealership status from Suzuki. The award from Suzuki recognises our efforts on a month-to-month-basis and is a dealership award acknowledging each member of our staff as part of the winning team.
Lance says the Suzuki product range covers most segments and also boasts a number of fleet customers. “The quality of our products and the value offering play a huge part in the wide acceptance of the brand.
“I personally drive the iconic Suzuki Jimny, and we have an active4x4 and adventure programme where we take clients for 4x4 training and take part in activities of the 4x4 Jimny Club of South-Africa,” he says.
Lance is a well-equipped leader in the motor retail business with many years of experience with various brands and motor groups in South-Africa.
He worked his way up from an apprenticeship through every part of a dealership to Dealer Principal at various brands and was even a shareholder at one stage in the Fury Motor Group before joining the Ipop Group and becoming a shareholder in the Bassonia dealership.
Toyota has added the Corolla Cross GR-S to its local line-up, a version that introduces sport-focused styling and adjustments to the driving experience. The Corolla Cross GR-S takes the established strengths of the Corolla Cross and adds styling, interior details, and suspension changes that set it apart from the rest of the line-up.
Citroën has expanded its South African line-up with the launch of the Basalt, a new SUV-coupé that blends bold styling, everyday practicality, and comfort-focused technology. Positioned as part of the brand’s C-Cubed programme, the Basalt joins the C3 and Aircross, offering a distinctive fastback silhouette and a package tailored to local driving conditions.
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Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
To be the top dealership out of more than 200 from a manufacturer, holding the top sales spot for the last 46 years, is no small feat. In fact, it requires dedication, effort, skill, ingenuity and leadership.
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