Free State Toyota dealer scoops up the silverware

Held at Sandton Convention Centre, the annual gala event shines a spotlight on the top dealers’ unwavering commitment to excellence and outstanding contributions to the Toyota, Lexus and Hino brands, while emphasising their steadfast dedication to ensuring customer satisfaction.

Under the stewardship of Jonathan Stephenson, Oranje Toyota Bloemfontein took home the coveted Toyota Dealer of the Year award. With a leadership style characterised by dedication to staff development and an unyielding passion for the Toyota brand, Stephenson and his team consistently surpassed customer expectations, solidifying their status as the epitome of service excellence within the Toyota network.

Embodying the spirit of "Experience Amazing", Lexus Fourways, led by the visionary Chris Jones, snapped up the Lexus Dealer of the Year Award for the fourth time since his tenure at the luxury experience centre.

Navigating challenging conditions in the premium market, Lexus Fourways not only defied industry trends but achieved an impressive 30% growth in new vehicle sales. Their commitment to the Lexus Brand philosophy is evident in a pre-owned to new vehicle sales ratio surpassing 1.7 to 1, accompanied by substantial increases in service-centre turnover and parts purchases.

Breaking ground as the 2023 Hino Dealer of the Year with Brandon Wegner at the helm, Hino Tshwane, clinched the title for the first time.

Their commitment to perfection and to a desire to challenge the status quo is reflected in their exceptional scores across Sales, Parts and Service targets. A remarkable overall Customer Experience (CE) score above 99.6%, coupled with triumph in the sales marketing category, underscores Hino Tshwane's dedication to total customer satisfaction.

Honouring independent dealers, the Independent Dealer of the Year Award, the first of its kind and of immense significance for Toyota South Africa Motors, reflects the core values that underpin the auto manufacturer’s long-standing heritage and commitment to mutual success. Captained by Kobus Louwrens, Riversdal Toyota, was recognised as the inaugural recipient of this award.

Having faced challenges head-on, including initial setbacks and market limitations, Riversdal Toyota emerged victorious. Their resilience, strong leadership and resolute focus on customer care positioned them as paragons of excellence in both sales and after-sales service.

“In extending our heartfelt congratulations, we commend these outstanding winners for their exceptional performance and dedication to the Toyota, Lexus and Hino brands. These dealers exemplify the spirit of resilience, uniqueness and excellence, propelling us toward a prosperous future together, says Leon Theron, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Toyota South Africa Motors.