Toyota SA honours top dealers for 2011

29 Feb 2012

Monument Toyota Constantia took home the coveted Toyota Dealer of the Year Award at a gala function held at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, Gauteng. The award was received by Julian Visagie, the dealer principal.

Speaking on this award Dr Johan van Zyl, president and CEO of Toyota SA Motors commended the Constantia-team for their hard work. "Monument Toyota Constantia's performance is proof that strong leadership and the right people make all the difference. While the dealer principal is intimately involved with all areas of the business he allows his management team to lead their own departments, resulting in a very innovative and highly motivated team."

Various awards for Monument Toyota Constantia

The strength of the Monument Toyota Constantia team is evident in the number of other awards received during this glamorous evening. Visagie also received the Vice President's Award for Vehicle Marketing and Customer Service, while team members Jonathan Stephenson and Gustav Pelser received the Vice President's Awards for the best New Vehicle Sales Manager and Service Manager respectively.

Pelser also received the Vice President's Award for the best Service Manager at a Monitor Dealer. Monitor Dealers are specially equipped to monitor and report on technical issues as part of Toyota's constant aim for product improvement.

A special Dakar Recognition Award was handed to members of the Imperial Toyota South Africa team. With Dr van Zyl, Glyn Hall, team manager and racing team Giniel de Villiers, Duncan Vos and Rob Howie on stage the team was thanked for what Dr van Zyl described as a "fairytale ending" to the team's first foray in the Dakar, with three locally built Hilux vehicles in the top ten of one of the world's most gruelling off-road races.

From apprentice to head of dealerships

Preceding the President's and Vice President's Awards a special Chairman's Achievement Award was handed to George Baikie of the Halfway Group. Starting as an apprentice in 1968, Baikie worked himself up in the Toyota network and now stands at the head of nine Toyota and Lexus dealerships.

Dr van Zyl also handed a special Chairman's Award to Ryan Seele, who has worked tirelessly for two years as the National Dealer Advisory Council Chairman. Receiving President's Awards for exceptional performance in the Mega, Large, Medium and Small Dealer categories were Julian Visagie (Monument Toyota Constatia) Glenda Austin (McCarthy Toyota Durban North), Fanie Erasmus Snr (Lydenburg Toyota) and Riël Gresse (Upington Toyota) respectively.