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
Quite often the telephone is the first touch point a client will have with any business. I find it so fascinating that, so few businesses actually monitor this aspect of their business.
Dealerships are generally pretty good compared to most other businesses. However, there still seem to be some areas that could be improved upon:
Time to answer incoming calls - calls should be answered promptly. Many businesses now have “smart answering” systems, but if you don’t, you must ensure that you have a standard that is understood by everyone concerned. This standard needs to apply to transferred calls as well.
Answering script - calls should be answered according to a “script” that it appropriate for your dealership. Telephonists should speak clearly and slowly. With the number of official languages and accents in South Africa, it is really important that the client understands what your telephonist is saying. Answering transferred calls also needs to be in accordance with your requirements. Quite often the telephonist is well trained, but the rest of the staff deal with calls willy-nilly.
Transferring calls – most systems have a ring time setting for transferred calls in that they can only ring for a certain time before they revert to the switchboard. I would set this to 5-10 rings at most. Additionally, the telephonist should always ask clients if they want to hold rather than automatically just transfer them again without asking.
Basic telephone activity should be monitored and measured. Some of the many elements to measure and track:
Dealerfloor (dealerfloor.co.za) and I will be publishing regular articles on dealership efficiency. I am really looking forward to sharing ideas with you. Join the conversation by sending a WhatsApp to 082-776-1887 to be added to our group.
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 build a reputation on what you are going to do.
Henry Ford
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.