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.
Share with friends
“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”.
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.
“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.”
Volvo Trucks South Africa delivered the first of nine new electric trucks that will be added to DSV’s (an international supply-chain operator) local fleet over the next few months.
Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) has unveiled two striking prototypes, the GR GT and GR GT3, signalling a transformative chapter in the brand’s pursuit of performance and motorsport excellence.
Australia’s growing love affair with oversized bakkies (or Utes as they are known Down Under) has sparked a fresh safety review by ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program). This time, it is not just about surviving a crash, but avoiding one altogether.
The Chinese onslaught on the hearts and minds of South African customers continues with Dongfeng, which is making its presence felt with an array of fully electric vehicles (EVs) now available locally and more to come next year.
The Hyundai Pinetown dealership has once again raised the bar in South Africa’s automotive retail sector, setting a new all-time monthly sales record for Hyundai Automotive South Africa.
Stellantis South Africa has announced the opening of a new Platina Motor Group dealership in Rustenburg, reinforcing its Brand House Network and bringing six automotive brands, Opel, Citroën, Peugeot, Jeep, FIAT and the all-new Leapmotor closer to customers in Northwest Province.