Triton brings the challenge to competitors
The bakkie war has intensified with the local launch of Mitsubishi’s next-generation Triton, an evolution in the iconic bakkie’s 46-year legacy.
- Product News
- 21 November 2024
Take care of your workforce and they in turn will take care of your customers.
Satisfied customers are good for business. This recipe will put your business in a position to shine and reap the benefits and some awards along the way.
Dealerfloor spoke to André Swart, Regional Manager of Suzuki Helderberg and the new Suzuki Cape Town dealership, part of the Trust Auto Group. Both dealerships received various awards at Suzuki Auto South Africa’s recent National Dealer Conference.
André joined the Trust Auto Group two and a half years ago, taking care of both dealerships. He played a vital role in getting the new Suzuki Cape Town dealership off the ground in February 2020, just before the COVID-19 lockdown hit the country.
He had a 14-year career at AMH, Imperial and Motus with his last stint being the Dealer Principal at Kia/Renault in Tygervalley before joining the Trust Auto Group, which is part of the international Japanese Motor Company, VT Holdings.
Trust Auto Group has two more Suzuki dealerships in Northcliff and Bryanston. The group was also recognised with an award by Suzuki for sales of more than a thousand units. Northcliff Suzuki received an Elite Dealer of the Year award.
“With all the obstacles in the way of conducting business, like the pandemic, stock shortages, lockdown restrictions, a struggling economy and loadshedding, running a car dealership takes careful planning.
“I have always considered the staff as the backbone of any business, and taking care of their needs, providing training and having an excellent product to offer are all part of a winning recipe. Managing a business is not only about customer retention, but just as important, is the retention of your staff,” says André.
“Our new Cape Town dealership has so much potential, and I foresee remarkable things for the future. Although our after-sales department and the new vehicles sales division are split and about two kilometres away from each other, it is, like the award we received, ‘The Dealership to Watch’.
“We are immensely proud of our Helderberg dealership, whichreceived many accolades at the conference. It received a Platinum Dealer Award where all aspects of the business are measured against the manufacturer’s strict criteria. It also won the Top Medium Dealer Award for 2020 where the dealerships compete with other Suzuki dealerships in the medium category,” he tells Dealerfloor.
“And last but not the least, we are enormously proud that Owen Adams of Suzuki Helderberg was crowned the Technician of the Year. It is a top honour for a staff member being recognised as an individual for his efforts in successful training and examination by Suzuki and his achievements at the dealership,” says André.
“We are proud of our achievements and honoured by the awards. I am positive that wonderful things are awaiting us,” André concluded.
The bakkie war has intensified with the local launch of Mitsubishi’s next-generation Triton, an evolution in the iconic bakkie’s 46-year legacy.
Unlike in the past, when dealerships primarily waited for customers to come to them, we now take a more proactive approach, bringing our vehicles directly to places where people gather, allowing them to experience the product first-hand, including offering test drives,” says Gerrie van der Kaay, Dealer Principal at Supergroup Dealerships Jetour Midrand.
JAC Motors added ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) to its X200 2.8L TDI 1.5-tonne single-cab, enhancing safety for both the crew and cargo. This latest upgrade complements the ABS-equipped X200 1.3-tonne double-cab targeted at organisations with labour-intensive crews.
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If you are not taking care of your customer, your competitor will.
Bob Hooey
Unlike in the past, when dealerships primarily waited for customers to come to them, we now take a more proactive approach, bringing our vehicles directly to places where people gather, allowing them to experience the product first-hand, including offering test drives,” says Gerrie van der Kaay, Dealer Principal at Supergroup Dealerships Jetour Midrand.
One of the latest Chinese automotive brands to establish itself in South Africa, GAC Motor, is benefitting from the expertise of well-known motor groups in the country, like the BB Motor Group.
Stellantis has announced the expansion of its multi-franchise dealer network with the addition of the Fiat and Jeep brands to the existing Westvaal Motor Group dealership in Klerksdorp in North West Province.