Selling French Flair and German Precision

Suhail Suder at Key Pietermaritzburg has taken on a big challenge, but one he feels he was raised to succeed in. The 26-year-old salesman sells Citroën, Peugeot and Opel at what many locals in the Midlands still consider to be an Isuzu dealership.

KZN d4 Suhail Suder

“I’ve been selling cars for only three years now, starting on GWM bakkies, and I look forward to reintroducing the three European brands to new and old buyers in the Midlands,” he told Dealerfloor.

“The main selling points are the high levels of luxury and safety built into even the entry level models. Unlike other brands, there is no down-speccing for our price sensitive market. Instead, you get everything European motorists demand.”

He said he had all but grew up in Peugeots. “My grandfather used to have four 404 models, two to drive and two for spares.” But he adds the brand has come a long way from those robust old 404s”.

Key Pietermaritzburg
Contractors prepare to install new signage at Key Pietermaritzburg.

Suder said while he had a slow start, the new signage that was installed at the dealership during December will help a lot to spread awareness that the Key dealership no longer sells just bakkies and trucks.

“Using social media, local events and our CMS system, I plan to spread the word a lot further,” he said.

He said he hopes to set his marketing plans apart by using the long histories and unique modern selling points of each model to sell them to potential buyers.

“Knowing the strengths and legends of each model helps to connect with interested buyers. For example, the 5008 has a brilliant massage seat, the Corsa handles like it’s on rails and the C3 continues the legend of the Pallas.

Suhail Suder at Key Pietermaritzburg.
Suhail Suder at Key Pietermaritzburg.

“My challenge is to find venues and gathering places where I can best demonstrate each car’s strength to potential buyers,” he said.

“And once a person experiences what the European brands offer, they understand why our annual Cars in the Park gatherings still draw our grandfathers to talk of the Kadett Superboss, the Peugeots’ frugal toughness or the Citroëns’ unique little luxuries.”

More Dealer News stories

Supergroup Dealerships welcomes new MG Dealerships

Supergroup Dealerships welcomes new MG Dealerships

Supergroup Dealerships announced the upcoming launch of four new MG dealerships as part of its growing portfolio. The new locations that are set to open soon, include three on the East Rand, one in Rustenburg and one in Paarl, Western Cape.

  • 13 December 2024
Updated Magnite, the jewel in the Nissan crown

Updated Magnite, the jewel in the Nissan crown

The Nissan Magnite seems to have captured the imagination of traditional as well as new buyers of the brand. With an updated Magnite recently launched and arriving at dealerships currently, there is good interest from prospective buyers of small Crossovers with a strong SUV character.

  • 11 December 2024
The year 2024 under review

The year 2024 under review

As 2024 draws to a close, I think it is pertinent to look back at some of the articles that I have written this year. I always try to concentrate on the basics and very often they are the areas of a dealership that need continuous and regular focus.

  • 10 December 2024