Suzuki’s new dealership in Rosebank is up and running, ready for business. Although the opening of the latest dealership, part of the Carter Group, has been doing business since December last year, the official opening was held recently.
The Carter Group now boasts two Suzuki dealerships (Rosebank and Bramley), two Renault dealerships (Melrose and Springfield in KwaZulu-Natal) and Mitsubishi (Melrose).
The new dealership will, among other things, now serve the northern part of Johannesburg with its location, and as a large dealership will have the capacity to service up to 30 vehicles a day.
“We have established a presence in a short time and are already servicing up to anywhere between 10 and 15 vehicles a day. I believe that our marketing campaigns will boost our sales dramatically in the weeks and months to come,” says Malcolm du Plessis, the newly appointed General Manager of Suzuki Rosebank.
“We are also in the process of establishing a big pre-owned division that will grow with time. We have the space to accommodate a good number of new and used vehicles on the premises. Our staff component will increase accordingly.
“Our customer service and products will speak for themselves. Word of mouth is a very strong medium to spread the message. We have one mission and that is to give customers a good reason to come back and do business with us.
Our team members – everyone in every department – always give their best. Customers can distinguish between average and above-average service. We will work hard to surpass their wildest expectations,” Malcolm tells Dealerfloor.
Malcolm says he is honoured to be appointed to this position in the group. “I in fact started at Renault SA’s head office as Product Manager in the After-Sales Department before joining the retail side of the motor trade. That was 16 years ago, and I started at the bottom working my way up.
“Owing to my experience and knowledge, I stayed in After-sales when entering the retail business at numerous Renault dealerships before moving to Carter Renault Melrose. It is here that I learned the skills of efficiency to do what must be done as quickly as possible.
“This philosophy stayed with me. Do it, and do it now. Customers do not have time to waste, and we respect that. We have assembled a great team so far and operate as a unit. All the team members know what they should do to operate at a high level of efficiency. I have an open-door policy and make sure the team is part of the decision-making process,” Malcolm says.
He is excited about the future and especially the Suzuki brand. “It is a no-nonsense brand that represents great value for money and top-notch quality. This new dealership will prosper, and customers will benefit from this.
“You know, when we start working, it is just a job. But since my involvement in the retail side, the role has changed. It is not a job anymore, but a career,” Malcolm concludes.
JLR reports growing demand for plug-in hybrid models, with global retail sales for the first half of the financial year up 29% compared to the prior year, as more customers use the technology as a stepping stone towards battery electric vehicles (BEV).
Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE) called on the Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, to announce measures in his Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) to ensure that a transition to Electric Vehicles (EVs) will result in the reduction of carbon emissions in the country.
The ratio of used to new vehicles financed increased in the second quarter of this year, indicating a growing consumer preference for used vehicles, according to TransUnion South Africa.
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If you are not taking care of your customer, your competitor will.
Bob Hooey
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Heinie Boshoff’s (main photo) automotive career turned a full circle when he became the co-owner and a director of the Benba Motor Group in the Western Cape a couple of years ago. And he has never looked back after taking an opportunity presented to him after school and making the most of it.
Here are a few basic ideas that should have a positive impact on gross profit (GP). Most of you are familiar with them but knowing them does not mean they are effectively applied. These are areas that I believe should form part of your daily, weekly or monthly reviews.
