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
Once again Odette Allers, Parts Manager at Jacksons Suzuki Queenstown, kicked dust in the eyes of her colleagues countrywide by walking away with a much sought-after award.
For the second year in a row, she won the award for Best Parts Manager from Suzuki Auto SA, no small feat for a woman who has stamped her authority on is this highly demanding job. The dealership was also awarded Platinum dealer status and Dealer of the Year 2020 in the Rural Category.
In her fourth year with this brand and dealership, Odette streamlined all the processes and systems for optimum use in an ever-changing dealership environment.
“Passion for what you are doing lies at the heart of any success story. It is not only about a job and a salary, but also about fulfilment and going the extra mile to achieve more than a noteworthy outcome. In short – what you put in, is what you get out, and I am honoured by this award.
“I also believe you can only achieve this if you have a strong team around you who buys into the way you organise and act. People are the foremost asset in any business, and happy, well-equipped and knowledgeable staff in turn reflect positively on the customers,” Odette says.
“With the pandemic, we had to adapt to circumstances brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic that resulted in lifestyle adaptations with stock shortages and lockdown restrictions. Our systems, knowing every aspect, the whereabout and availability of each part become crucial to optimise our service delivery and turnaround time.
“It was back to basics to find the touchpoints with the new way of life and conducting business with people working from different locations and customers who wanted to spend as little time as possible at the dealership, she tells Dealerfloor.
One of the aspects that led to this award was our first place in the Best Practice Parts for the period July to September 2020. This is measured on a quarterly basis and carries a certain weight towards the award they won.
“With the shortage of new vehicles and in some cases parts, we are very fortunate for the help we get from Suzuki Auto South Arica, which monitors our parts inventory on a daily base and assists with the sourcing and allocation of especially fast-moving service parts.
“We are grateful for an increase in business and the retention of customers at our workshop and the after sales of parts. Thank you to our staff and customers who made it possible for us to achieve this awesome accolade,” says Odette.
Jacksons Suzuki Queenstown is an independent dealership that belongs to Mark Wilson, and Patrick Casey is the Dealer Principal. The complex also includes the Isuzu dealership, which received a Dealer of the Year award for 2020.
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.