Best-performing Volkswagen dealers recognised in annual Grand Prix Awards ceremony
Volkswagen’s annual Grand Prix Awards, which were held on 20 May 2021, celebrate and recognise the best-performing dealers in the network.
For the second time in the history of the Grand Prix Awards, the awards ceremony, which was themed ‘Drive Your Future, was streamed on a virtual platform due to Covid-19 safety regulations.
“The dealer network is an integral part of Volkswagen’s business. Our 109-strong dealer network recorded a market share of 19% in 2020 and accounted for over 75% of Volkswagen’s total sales. I am proud of our dealers’ contribution and steadfast loyalty in growing the Volkswagen Brand in South Africa,” said Steffen Knapp, the Head of the Volkswagen Passenger Car brand.
During the ceremony, 17 award categories and a total of 86 winners were awarded. The two most prestigious awards at the annual ceremony are the Micro Group and Macro Group of the Year. Louie Barnes from NTT Group won the Micro Group of the Year. To qualify as a Micro Group, the group needs a minimum of two dealerships which contribute at least 2% towards the Volkswagen Dealer Sales result.
Chris Beukes and Brad Kaftel from Hatfield Group won the Macro Group of the Year, for the fourth consecutive time. To qualify as a Macro Group, the group needs to contribute at least 8% towards the Volkswagen Dealer Sales result.
Paul Kok from Volkswagen Kimberley won one of the most sought-after awards of the night, the Dealer of the Year Award. The Dealer of the Year Award is presented to the Volkswagen Dealership that delivers the best overall results across various disciplines of the business, on a consistent basis, whilst representing the Volkswagen brand values at the highest level.
A special recognition award was also handed out at the annual ceremony. Anton Kruger, a Senior Sales Manager from Barons Woodmead, won the Volkswagen Lifetime Achievement Award.
Kruger has a long list of remarkable achievements with the Volkswagen Brand. Between 2001 and 2020, he was in the top 10 of the best performing Sales Executives. He was also the top Volkswagen Sales Executive in South Africa six times in a row - from 2009 to 2014. In that period alone, he also sold 1 954 new Volkswagen vehicles, which is 325 vehicles a year or 27 sales per month. Sadly, Anton Kruger passed on last year and his Lifetime Achievement Award was received by his wife.
