A renewed focus on customer care and the well-being of the employees, is high on the agenda of Jaco du Preez, newly appointed General Manager at Waterberg Toyota in Limpopo.
Waterberg Toyota consists of two dealerships, Waterberg Toyota Bela-Bela and Waterberg Toyota Modimolle. They are located about a 20-minute drive from each other.
The Waterberg Group was started by Robert Boonzaaier in 1989 with the dealership now known as Waterberg Toyota Modimolle, and then in 1996 with the dealership now known as Waterberg Toyota Bela-Bela. Robert’s sons, Rudi and Johan, the second generation, now drive the family business that also includes other vehicle brands in their portfolio.
In his new capacity, Jaco who has been with the Halfway Toyota group in various capacities at different dealerships, will take charge of the two dealerships in Bela-Bela and Modimolle, overseeing the day-to-day running of the business.
He will work in conjunction with Rudi and Johan, who each currently takes responsibility for a dealership in a Dealer Principal capacity.
“The business is well-known with an established reputation in their respective towns. I would like to build on that and extend customer relationships even further as well as creating opportunities for our staff through training and upskilling,” Jaco tells Dealerfloor.
“Each of the dealerships has a distinctive character and unique culture even though their respective customer bases don’t differ much, it is the unique cultures that are the driving force,” he says.
Jaco says although he is just starting out in the new position, he has been through various positions of different brands and a number of dealerships. “I gained experience across most departments at dealership level.
“My automotive career kicked off as a Financial and Insurance Manager (F&I) to Sales Manager of Used and New Vehicles and as the Dealer Principal at my previous employer, the Halfway group at their Malanda and Howick dealerships,” Jaco tells us.
He is no stranger to be part of and to lead a team to win important awards like the Dealer of the Year in the Medium category for Halfway Toyota last year. Other awards under his belt, include the 2022 Vice President Award - Customer Service (Halfway Toyota), 2020 Runner up Automark Manager - Mega category and 2019 Vice President Award - Automark Manager - All categories (Halfway Toyota).
And how does it feel to be in a more rural environment compared to the metro-areas with their large dealerships where he worked previously? “There is a difference in that in a more rural environment the pace is slightly more relaxed and closer inter-personal relationships are very important. That allows us to establish even closer relationships with customers and potential customers,” he says.
Jaco tells Dealerfloor, there are two mottos he lives by: Make mistakes, as many and as quickly as possible, just don’t make the same mistake twice and the philosophy that only mediocre people are always at their best. “You have too constantly better yourself and do better. That is my firm belief in business and in my personal life,” Jaco concludes.
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