Ford South Africa honoured the outstanding achievements of its 119 dealer and distributor partners at the 2024 Ford Recognition Awards themed Blueprint for Excellence.

Neale Hill, President of Ford Motor Company, Africa, praised the network’s ability to excel despite challenging economic conditions.

"Tonight, we celebrate more than just individual achievements – we honour the collective strength of our network and the power of partnership that drives us forward. In the face of market turbulence, you did not just weather the storm; you adapted, excelled and continued to put our customers at the centre of everything you do," says Neale.

The evening also marked a historic milestone with the introduction of the Ford Contribution Award, one of the highest distinctions within the Ford family. Unlike traditional awards recognising dealership performance, this honour celebrates individuals whose leadership, vision and passion have left an indelible mark on Ford’s journey in South Africa.

“The first-ever recipient of this prestigious award was Jebb McIntosh (main photo, left), Chief Executive Officer of the Combine Motor Holdings Group (CMH), a visionary leader whose contributions have extended far beyond business. Since co-founding CMH in 1976, Jebb's leadership has been instrumental in expanding Ford’s presence in South Africa. His legacy includes inspiring generations of leaders, strengthening the brand’s trust with customers and building lasting relationships that form the foundation of the company’s success,” Neale explains.

The evening’s top honours highlighted exceptional performance and leadership within the dealer network. Rola Ford Robertson was named the overall Ford National Dealer of the Year for the second consecutive year. This accolade recognises the exceptional leadership and commitment of Dealer Principal Karen Moller and her team, whose dedication continues to drive success within the dealership and the broader Ford family.

In a poignant and deeply moving moment for Human Auto, the Group Dealer of the Year Award was presented to Human Auto Group with great humility, respect and admiration for their unwavering commitment to excellence.

The occasion was particularly heartfelt, as it came just days after the passing of the esteemed owner of Human Auto Group. Pine Pienaar, the Group Franchise Executive of Human Auto, took to the stage to accept the award, dedicating it to Jacques Strydom in recognition of his leadership and vision.

Human Auto also won Category A (Bloemfontein) and Category C (Welkom) of the Dealer of the Year Awards, while B&R Motors in Delareyville won Category D, Westvaal Numbi White River took Category B and Rola Ford Robertson category E and the overall title.