- Dealer partners an unmistakable force on the Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) road to dominance
- Achieving number one in the customer satisfaction stakes drives MBSA dealers to greater service innovation
Seychelles – Coming hot on the heels of the announcement last week of strong revenue growth in 2013 of 28.7% over the previous year, MBSA paid tribute to the top performers in its extensive, country-wide dealer network on 22 February at the announcement of its Dealer of the Year.
“Mercedes-Benz South Africa has clearly turned a corner on our road to 2015 where our strategic vision is to become the undisputed leader in all the segments where we compete,” said MBSA CEO and President, Dr Martin Zimmermann. “Dealers in our network have worked tirelessly alongside us in implementing the key drivers of our plan to achieve this vision.”
MBSA in 2013 realised sales figures on the passenger car side of 22 636 units, surpassing the previous year by 4.8 per cent growth. On the commercial vehicles side, the entire commercial vehicle industry in South Africa has grown by 5.4% since 1995, while MBSA experienced a 5.7% growth over the same period. Vehicle financing, implemented largely at the dealerships, saw Mercedes-Benz Financial Services (MBFS) attain a penetration rate of 34%, up four percentage points from 2012.
“Our results are testament to the incredible working relationship between the dealer network and ourselves, but even more so, it speaks volumes about the inspired, passionate people who staff our dealerships, and their exceptional work ethic,” Zimmermann adds.
The dealer network is trusted with a very important element of the company’s success – the interface with its customers. In 2013, the dealer network was challenged to top performance, engaging with most lines of business in MBSA to implement campaigns, systems and initiatives that will catapult the brand beyond its current status to the ultimate level of customer excellence.
The exceptional traction gained in 2013 throughout the MBSA business will create further momentum in the years to come.
MBSA Dealer of the Year Chairman’s Award winners for 2013:
| Best Overall Mercedes-Benz Cars Dealer: | Garden City Motors Pietermaritzburg |
| Best Overall MBCV Dealer: | Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles Cape Town |
| Best Overall FTL/FUSO CV Dealer: | NMI-DSM Commercial Vehicles Pinetown |
| Best Overall Marketing Performance: | Mercedes-Benz Umhlanga Lifestyle Centre |
| Best Overall After Sales Dealer: | Mercedes-Benz Durban Old Fort Road |
| Best Overall CSI Dealer: | Union Motors South Coast |
| MBFS Chairman’s Award: | NMI-DSM Commercial Vehicles Pinetown |
In addition, the following category winners were awarded:
| Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars Brand Centre | Mercedes-Benz Durban Brand Centre |
| Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars Market Centre | Garden City Motors Pietermaritzburg |
| Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars Independent Dealers | Century Motors |
| Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles Brand Centre | Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles Cape Town |
| Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles Market Centre | Union Motors Lowveld |
| Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles Independent Dealers | De Wit Motors |
| Freightliner / FUSO Brand Centres | NMI-DSM Commercial Vehicles Pinetown |
| Freightliner / FUSO Market Centres | Union Motors South Coast |
| Freightliner / FUSO Independent Dealers | De Wit Motors |
