Rola Toyota Somerset West emerged as the standout performer at Toyota South Africa’s prestigious annual Dealer of the Year awards, claiming an impressive array of accolades at the national ceremony earlier this month.
Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) recently celebrated 46 consecutive years of market leadership at their annual Dealer Network gathering, where automotive excellence and innovation took centre stage at the Sandton Convention Centre on Friday 6 March. Among all the dealerships nationwide, it was Rola Toyota Somerset West that truly dominated the awards ceremony.
The dealership achieved an extraordinary sweep of awards. Their impressive haul included the coveted 2025 Toyota Dealer of the Year Award and the President’s Award (Large Category), alongside recognition as runner up for New Vehicle Sales and Automark in the Large Category. The dealership also received Certificates of Excellence for both Customer Service and Parts Sales.
This showcases the dealership’s exceptional performance across sales, service and customer satisfaction – a rare achievement. Under the expert guidance of dealer principal Andries de Villiers, Rola Toyota Somerset West has established itself as a benchmark for excellence in the automotive retail sector. The success of the Somerset West operation reflects the broader excellence within the Rola Motors organisation. This was further highlighted when group MD Marius Claasen received the President’s Award: Group MD Divisional, adding yet another prestigious accolade to the Rola Motors portfolio.
Claasen’s recognition tells a remarkable story of growth and dedication in the automotive industry. His guiding motto is: “Service is your best salesperson.”
This customer-centric approach has inspired his teams to consistently exceed expectations and deliver exceptional customer experiences across the group.
His unwavering dedication and commitment to service excellence has been instrumental in growing Rola Motors to greater heights. Claasen’s forward-thinking leadership continues to drive investment into innovative initiatives that set the standard for what the dealer of the future should be .
The dealership’s success stems from their relentless pursuit of improvement across all areas of their business. From new vehicle sales and parts supply to customer service and aftermarket solutions, their state-of-the-art facility has positioned them as a premier destination for Toyota customers.
This comprehensive excellence reflects the brand’s commitment to quality and guest satisfaction at every touchpoint.
“Rola Toyota Somerset West has become a landmark of excellence in their region,” noted Toyota officials during the ceremony. “Their spirit of resilience, innovation and community cohesion mirrors the values that Toyota embodies.”
The multiple awards in the Large Category demonstrate that the dealership competes successfully against the biggest and most established operations in the country, making their achievements even more remarkable.
The awards ceremony, themed “Challenge and Innovate,” brought together Toyota’s extensive dealer network from across South Africa. Andre Kirby, TSAM president and CEO, emphasised the significance of these awards in recognising dealer networks whose operational excellence translates strategy into measurable growth and enduring customer trust.
“The Toyota Dealer of the Year Awards are a cornerstone on our calendar,” said Kirby. “The awards are aimed at recognising our dealer network whose operational excellence and service innovation translate strategy into measurable growth and enduring customer trust.”
The Somerset West dealership’s achievement is particularly noteworthy given the highly competitive nature of the automotive industry and Toyota’s extensive national network. With their state-of-the-art facility and proven track record of excellence across all operational areas, Rola Toyota Somerset West continues to strengthen the area’s automotive heritage while setting the standard for comprehensive customer care and operational excellence.
