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
Toyota recently announced their Dealer of the Year (DOTY) Awards with Chris Jones, Dealer Principal at Halfway Lexus Fourways, receiving the award as the Lexus DOTY.
This is the second time in the past four years that Lexus Fourways has won the award after being runner-up in 2019, adding to a long list of awards, including the financial service awards for the past six years.
According to Jones, the past year has been a challenge for all dealers, with all involved being forced to re-think their marketing and client service strategies. “I am lucky that my sales staff are a young, energetic and motivated team who were able to ensure record months during the initial lockdown because of COVID-19,” he recently told Dealerfloor.
Jones continued by explaining how pre-owned vehicles achieved a 63% growth year-on-year. Apart from the increase in used car sales, Jones was quick to point out how the backing of the Halfway Motor Group has allowed for stability and growth for this flagship and first only-Lexus dealership. “Lexus Fourways became part of the privately owned Halfway Motor Group in 2009 and since then many people played a part in growing the business to the success story it is today,” Jones said.
“We are selling and providing an in demand premium brand and with the support from our customers and the diligent, hard work from our staff, we were able to achieve this special award,” Jones said proudly.
During the awards ceremony, the Toyota senior vice president of sales and marketing, Leon Theron, explained how this achievement required dedicated efforts and a balanced approach that were aligned to the core philosophy of the Lexus brand of Experiencing Amazing. “This year’s winner (Lexus Fourways) refused to follow the negative trends and even succeeded in creating positive trends of their own,” Theron said.
Some of the trends Theron alluded to are explained by Jones: “Having a young team, most are very adept at using technology and social media, utilising those skills in a variety of customer- and sales-driven experiences to create awareness, generating leads , retaining clients and establishing Lexus as a reputable premium brand.”
For Jones, being in charge of a dealership is much more than just profits, customer service and upholding the reputation of the brand. “As a business, we are part of and dependent on our community, where we focus our attention on the support of feedings schemes and other social investment activities,” Jones said.
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.
Advertisement
Advertisement
You can't buy happiness but you can buy cars and that's kind of the same thing.
Unknown
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.