Johannesburg – Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) recently marked a landmark achievement—45 consecutive years of market leadership—by recognising the standout performers in its nationwide Dealer Network at the highly anticipated 2024 National Dealer of the Year Awards.
The prestigious event brought together key players from across the Toyota, Lexus, and Hino dealer network to celebrate the enduring strength, agility, and unity that have defined TSAM’s journey over nearly half a century. It was not only a night of accolades but also a powerful tribute to the partnerships that have propelled TSAM to the top of the South African automotive industry.
A Milestone Built on Purpose and Partnership
Reflecting on the 45-year milestone, Andrew Kirby, President and CEO of TSAM, emphasised the collective resilience that underpins the brand’s long-standing success:
“45 years of market leadership means that Toyota South Africa Motors and its Dealer Network have embraced a whirlwind of many highs and lows, requiring grit and agility. What sets us apart is the Toyota Way of doing things: collaboration and the spirit of Kaizen (continuous improvement). This year’s Dealer Awards are a remarkable reminder of what can be achieved when we all work together as a unified team.”
From sales excellence to service leadership, each award presented was a testament to the vision, drive, and performance of dealerships that embody the essence of the Toyota brand.
2024 Dealer of the Year Winners
Toyota Dealer of the Year – Riversdal Toyota
Situated in the Western Cape, Riversdal Toyota has become a beacon of excellence thanks to its people-first philosophy. A family-run operation now in its second generation, the dealership delivers not just numbers, but trust, warmth, and a community-centred approach that sets it apart.
Lexus Dealer of the Year – SMG Lexus Umhlanga
Every detail at SMG Lexus Umhlanga, from the showroom ambience to after-sales service, reflects the Lexus brand’s ethos of luxury and meticulous attention to detail. This award celebrates their commitment to delivering a guest experience that is as refined as it is inspiring.
Hino Dealer of the Year – Hino Kuilsrivier
Hino Kuilsrivier earned top honours by consistently exceeding benchmarks in performance, reliability, and service. Their success stems from an unyielding commitment to keeping businesses on the move while nurturing strong customer relationships grounded in trust.
Independent Dealer of the Year – Upington Toyota
Operating outside a large group structure, Upington Toyota has proven that excellence doesn’t depend on size or location. Their success reflects a hands-on approach built on integrity, responsiveness, and local community engagement.
Presidential and Special Honours
Chairman Achievement Award – Riël Gresse
Recognised for his inspirational leadership and tenure as Chairman of the National Dealer Council, Riël Gresse has cultivated a culture of collaboration and customer-first service that continues to leave a lasting imprint on the network.
President’s Award – Small: Riversdal Toyota
Riversdal Toyota continued its award-winning streak by also securing the President’s Award in the Small category—recognised for its service excellence and unwavering brand loyalty.
President’s Award – Medium: Halfway Toyota Howick
With a sharp focus on strategic execution, Halfway Toyota Howick outperformed its targets with 114% in sales and 122% in parts, demonstrating a growth strategy that translated directly into results.
President’s Award – Medium: Carnival Toyota
A model of consistency, Carnival Toyota’s disciplined leadership enabled the dealership to maintain Lighthouse status in both Sales and Service.
President’s Award – Mega: SMG Toyota Hillcrest
Operating in a high-volume market, SMG Toyota Hillcrest achieved across-the-board excellence, including Lighthouse status for Parts and Service, while embracing the future of retail with forward-thinking strategies.
President Divisional Award – Warren Demmer, SMG
Warren Demmer’s dynamic leadership and focus on aligning people, performance, and purpose have been key to elevating multiple dealerships within the SMG group.
President’s Group MD Award – Anton Labuschagne, NTT Group
Leading with vision and strategic foresight, Anton Labuschagne has played a pivotal role in positioning every dealership within the NTT Group for success—setting a new standard for group leadership.
Driving Forward with Confidence
Commenting on the calibre of this year’s award recipients, Leon Theron, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at TSAM, shared:
“The 2024 Toyota Dealer of the Year Awards have been a testament of great passion, consistency, collaboration and an unwavering commitment to excellence by our Dealer Partners over the years. It has not been an easy feat for Toyota South Africa Motors to maintain a 45-year market leadership. We couldn’t have done it without the support of our dealer network. As we look ahead, we are confident that we will continue with the momentum. Congratulations to everyone.”
As TSAM celebrates this milestone year, the 2024 Dealer Awards stand as both a tribute and a challenge—to keep pushing boundaries, inspiring innovation, and delivering excellence, one guest at a time.
Explore the Toyota dealer network: www.toyota.co.za/dealers
