Locals say you cry twice when you move to Cradock \u2013 once when you arrive and once when you leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thankfully for Simon Ward, a 45-year-old father of four, he has yet to experience the phenomenon he knows all too well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The recently-appointed dealer principal of Kelston Toyota arrived in the Eastern Cape town five years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKelston and Cradock have both become close to my heart and I can\u2019t think of one without the other,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ward took over the reins of the dealership on June 1 after former DP Stephen Meyer was appointed to another position within the Group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the Gqeberha native served as New-Vehicle and Automark manager under Meyer, their relationship had been forged decades earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have known Stephen from my first day in the motor trade,\u201d Ward remembered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe has taught me to understand, channel and use emotional intelligence to lead from the front and \u2018gooi kole\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also attributed much of his rise through the ranks to the \u201cMcNaughton factor\u201d \u2013 the Kelston Motor Group\u2019s founding family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Former managing director and patriarch, Mike McNaughton, taught him to \u201cmake sure the small things are right\u201d while current managing director, Peter McNaughton, and financial director Sally McNaughton have continued in much the same vein.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ward started out as a sales executive for Toyota in Nelson Mandela Bay. He later added fleet sales to his skillset, which led to a 16-month journey exploring several different makes of vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Upon his return to the Japanese brand, he was tasked with growing that side of the business. He was later promoted to new-vehicle sales manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was \u201centiced\u201d to play the same role at Kelston Toyota in Cradock by then DP Dave White and switched from metro to small-town living in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCradock is a close-knit community, yet they make one feel right at home,\u201d said Ward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said they relished every opportunity to get involved with local organisations and sports clubs such as golf, cricket, tennis and bowls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The business has also fostered a strong relationship with the Marlow Landbou Skool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ward explained that the town boasted many small businesses that had emerged over generations simply because people in small towns tended to have one another\u2019s back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTherefore, it is vital that we reciprocate this within our community,\u201d said Ward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The new DP\u2019s immediate goal for the dealership is to build on the foundation of the One-Team Attitude, which they embrace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Creating a good vibe for its 21 staffers and clients alike, an innovative mind-set, customer-centricity and service exceeding expectations are also top priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ward said the Hilux, which traditionally had a big following among the community, was expected to continue thanks to the \u201cface-lifted\u201d double cab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The town\u2019s brand loyalists are also buzzing about the new-generation Prado and the addition of the 2.8GD-6 to the Land Cruiser stable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With one in every four new vehicles sold on these shores manufactured by Toyota, it has been South Africa\u2019s market leader for 49 consecutive years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And, if Ward has his way, it will be 50 not out soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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