What makes this achievement even more special is that it has done so for three consecutive years. Suzuki Klerksdorp also received the WesBank Dealer of The Year Award for 2019/20, also the third time in a row.

“We are glad and humbled by the awards and aim at getting an Elite Award next year that slots in as the top category just above the Platinum Award. Another aim is to win the Multi-franchise Award from Sewells, which we managed to do in 2018,” says Japie Bester, Dealer Principal at Penta Multi-Franchise, which includes Suzuki, Renault and Mahindra.

“The achievement lies in the continuous evaluation of all the different processes at the dealership, including the end-result. We live and operate by the Penta principles, namely learning, responsibility, integrity, innovation, collaboration and determination. The Penta Motor Group was established about eight years ago in Rustenburg and now has a large number of branches with a variety of nameplates all over South-Africa.

“We work as a team, everyone will assist on the floor, no matter the seniority of your position. We also have a young team that we can train to our standard and the Penta way of doing business,” says Japie. Suzuki dealers with the Penta Group were also honoured for sales of above 1 000 new vehicles at the recent Suzuki Awards ceremony.

He says they moved into the new dealership in 2018 and is now located close to several other new car franchises. “Our new premises are bigger, more modern and practical with a bigger workshop, showroom and more secure parking for customers. Inside we now have a modern waiting area for customers.

Our dealership, all three brands included, has a remarkably high market penetration in the North West and a large market share of new vehicle sales in our hometown, Klerksdorp.

Asked if people come for a specific brand or rather a certain price class no matter which of the three brands, he says it is a 50/50 scenario. “Customers do their homework and know what they want. Sometimes they will shop around and have a look at what the other brands offer, especially when they are on a tight budget,” he told Dealerfloor.

Japie started his career in the motor trade in the Lowveld and spent many years in Mbombela, previously known as Nelspruit, at different dealerships like Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen in different capacities before moving to North West.

Japie became part of the Penta group four years ago but has been involved with the Suzuki brand for almost seven years.