Nov/Dec 2007

With all the new truck dealerships opening around the country, there are times when trucking journalists might believe they've suddenly been kidnapped by an architectural magazine to report on the slick lines and ergonomic features of the month's sexiest 'brand centre'. While the brick, glass and aluminium do have a sizable role to play in the promotion of truck sales, dealership launches are really about people getting together to network, strengthen affiliations and have a bit of a party. The roof wetting of the upgraded Truck Centre Wadeville was no exception. Paul Collings got his face lifted.

According to the dealership's Managing Director, Craig Jordan, "getting to where we are today has not been an easy road. When we opened our doors in 1999, Iveco faced a poor brand perception, something we have been abler to turn around significantly. Our entrepreneurship and principled approach to customers has made us Iveco's top SA dealer for the last five years."
 

Figures speak volumes
Awards look good in the reception area but it's turn-over that really tells just how successful a sales operation is. "We've improved sales from R12 million to R130 million since 1999," says Jordan, which supports in no small measure the silverware and certificates from Iveco.

"This dealership has been and will continue to be a key component of our success. It takes strong leaders to double Iveco sales in two years and then commit to a further 50% increase over the next 12 months," says Ed Chvatal, Iveco SA Managing Director.
 

Upgraded service areas	Skilled autotronic technicians ensure minimum downtime

Streamlined supply
Supported by a strong broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) profile, Truck Centre Wadeville is meeting demand in a number of sectors, most notably, light freight vans and construction trucks. 

"The Wadeville office has recently undergone an expansive facelift and the warehouse has also been improved. The sales/administration office has been upgraded and a new service reception has been created," says Dealer Principal, Trevor Pillay. "This has allowed the business to become more streamlined, which adds to the efficiency of this dealership."

Iveco is aiming to grow its sub-Saharan customer base by 2500 customers in 2008, according to Chvatal and the Wadeville dealership is targeting 900 units by year-end.

"Our loyalty to the brand is backed up with reliable and dependable service where we aim to beat our customer expectations at all times," concludes Jordan.

And beat expectations at this launch they certainly did. The sushi was excellent and that 'man of steal', Mike Naiker, had the crowd in stitches, right up to their faces. Nice one guys!