Renault Welkom has trumped 49 other contenders to take top title at Renault South Africa’s 2011 Club of Diamonds Dealer of the Year Awards. Renault Fountains (Tshwane) took second spot while third position overall went to the Western Cape’s Renault Paarl. Unitrans Automotive received Renault SA’s Franchise Award for Best Performing Group.
At the gala awards evening held on Friday night at Montecasino in Fourways north of Johannesburg, a triumphant Jurie Venter, Dealer Principal at Renault Welkom said: “I committed to winning in 2011 and my team and I worked really hard to make this win a reality.”
Customer sales and service has always been a dedicated focus and over the years, the dealership has sustained its reputation as being quality-driven. “In 2009 and 2010 we were proud to receive Renault’s Global Quality Award,” says Venter. “It’s a team effort and I am surrounded by the very best.
“To Renault South Africa, your support has been fantastic and you have gone above and beyond the call in helping us to achieve the success that we have. We have great prospects for the year ahead. In addition to the extended Renault Sandero range, I am very excited about the rejuvenated Clio III range and the introduction of the well-priced, entry-level Clio 1.6 Yahoo! and Yahoo! Plus models,” he concludes.
Renault Welkom’s perseverance and success epitomises Renault’s commitment to put people at the heart of its business by being an accessible, progressive brand with a vehicle for everyone and by providing an exceptional value proposition supported by comprehensive quality, safety and warranty offerings.
Bernie du Plessis, Divisional Chief Executive of Unitrans Automotive was on hand to accept the Best Performing Franchise Group Award from Xavier Gobille, Managing Director of Renault SA. Du Plessis has a longstanding association with the Renault brand having worked for the company as regional manager until 1981. “The brand has always been close to my heart and I would like to thank Renault for their tremendous support. I can’t stress enough the stunning product line-up that Renault now offers – the locally manufactured Sandero Stepway in particular, has been a major success for Unitrans, one of our best volume sellers.”
“Like Unitrans Automotive, Renault runs a tight ship and wants to succeed and should the opportunity arise to increase the number of dealerships that we have, we would certainly look at it,” he adds. Unitrans Automotive currently operates the Renault Kempton Park, Benoni and Clearwater dealerships in Gauteng.
As Vice President of Sales and Operations at Renault SA, Leslie Ramsoomar says that the 50-strong dealer network now has approximately 90 per cent coverage throughout South Africa making the Renault brand far more accessible to consumers. “Renault has become a very attractive franchise for motor retail organisations and independent operators alike and I am proud to report that during 2011, our Customer Service Index levels reached a record high.”
“Renault South Africa has much to be proud of,” says Xavier Gobille. “Our dealer network has never been as extensive or as satisfied as was independently borne out by the results of the 2011 National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA) survey which saw Renault awarded gold. Coming second out of a total of 37 motor manufacturers, just 0.1 per cent behind the front-runner, was a considerable achievement and so, a big thank you to all present for recognising and rewarding our efforts.
“While we never underestimate our competitors, Renault SA’s quality and service levels, product line-up and overall value proposition have never been as good,” he concludes.
