Eastern Cape auto retailer Kelston Motor Group has been named Renault South Africa\u2019s Dealer of the Year in the micro category for the second year running.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kelston Renault in Komani took the coveted title, following in the footsteps of its sister dealership in Makhanda who triumphed the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Renault SA\u2019s Dealer of the Year Awards, held in Johannesburg recently, honoured brand dealers\u2019 unwavering commitment to excellence and outstanding contributions throughout 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The original equipment manufacturer bases its awards on a 70 per cent sales (vehicles and parts) component and 30 per cent quality (including corporate social investment initiatives).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In terms of the latter, Kelston Renault has become synonymous with programmes that boost the Chris Hani district.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dealership staff believe in paying it forward to the people who support them and have therefore become involved in everything from town clean-ups to supporting local sporting events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dealer principal Johan van der Merwe, who helped launch the shop in 2019 before returning permanently in 2021, is ecstatic about the award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe mood is awesome. This is not my achievement, it\u2019s my team\u2019s achievement,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll the hard work they\u2019ve been putting in . . . all the thanks go to them. The spirit is high, it\u2019s a good atmosphere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kelston Renault comprises a staff complement of only 11, but they have proved that dynamite comes in small packages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They run the sales, parts and workshop departments, including other support duties, while Kelston\u2019s head office in Gqeberha takes care of the administrative work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Van der Merwe said aside from always hitting their sales targets and maintaining a positive mindset, his team had done \u201cnothing special\u201d to win the award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause our team is small, you can always get them together. This means everyone understands what\u2019s going on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you look at the [2024] standings now, we are on top of the pile again. So hopefully we will be in line for the award again next year.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Much of the dealership\u2019s success can be put down to targeting and cornering the first-time buyer market; those who have just left school or are starting out in their careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
More affordable models like the Kwid very much fit the bill in this regard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Van der Merwe, who has more than 20 years of experience in the motor trade, said there was also a portion of the town\u2019s motoring public that was loyal to the brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They tended to return to buy higher-end models like the Kiger, Captur and Koleos as their careers took off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEspecially in the Eastern Cape, you need a car that\u2019s higher off the ground [because of the state of the roads]. It\u2019s why SUVs and 4x4s have become so popular.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Van der Merwe quipped that in some instances drivers might even need a heavy-terrain vehicle \u201cjust to go to the caf\u00e9\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was positive about what the future held, especially with Renault having brought several exciting new models to market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe new Duster, for example, is amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Van der Merwe, who hails from Secunda in Mpumalanga, entered the motor industry in 2002. For most of his career he specialised in parts and workshops before taking up a sales position in 2015.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He moved to Komani in 2018 after being offered the DP position.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Eastern Cape auto retailer Kelston Motor Group has been named Renault South Africa\u2019s Dealer of the Year in the micro category for the second year 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