We’re almost done with the first quarter of 2025, and several automakers have already taken the time to award their dealers for their hard work in 2024 through their annual dealer awards.
These include the BMW Group of BMW and Mini, Ford, and sister brands Hyundai and Kia.
While every manufacturer has its own criteria for choosing the best outlet, the winners were generally those that moved the most number of units, pushed the most financing deals, improved their sales the most, or received the most customer praise over the last year.
According to AutoTrader CEO George Mienie, dealer awards are vital in the industry as they shine a spotlight on the individuals behind the scenes who contribute significantly to the automotive sector.
“People behind the curtain are the people working on the ground every day that we don’t hear from. These people are the collective success of our industry,” said Mienie.
“Often it’s the unsung heroes that don’t always get the credibility and the recognition they deserve. But are the people that keep the cogs of the business turning. So it’s really great to be able to acknowledge them and give them a chance to shine.”
Another benefit is that it stimulates competition between dealerships, which usually result in more aggressive sales techniques including discounts and promotions, improved marketing, better customer services, and more attractive finance offerings.
Sean Simpson, Dealer Principal at Kia Vereeniging who took home the top honours, indicated to Dealerfloor that the awards were a big motivator for improving the outlet’s performance.
“Upon my arrival [to Kia Vereeniging] more than a year and a half ago, we tightened the discipline, and I began changing the mindset of ‘it is not possible to yes we can’,” said Simpson.
“Once the team was convinced that better sales and service were possible and hit the first target, the penny dropped and everyone realised the possibilities.”
Simpson took the dealer to the top spot for the first time in 2024 and is extremely motivated to do so again next year.
“No Kia dealership has won the Dealer of the Year award twice in a row, but keep your eyes on us,” he said.
Best BMW, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, and Mini dealers
The list below detail the winners of the 2024 Dealer of the Year awards for the BMW Group which includes BMW and Mini, Ford, Hyundai, and Kia.
BMW
- Retailer of the Year (large) – BMW Midrand
- Retailer of the Year (small-medium) – BMW Nelson Mandela Bay
- Retailer of the Year (motorrad) – BMW Motorrad Stellenbosch
- Best Retailer in Sales (large) – BMW Midrand
- Best Retailer in Sales (small-medium) – BMW Ballito
- Best Retailer in Sales (motorrad) – BMW Motorrad Montana
- Best M-Sales Retailer – BMW Durban South
- Best Retailer in Financial Services (large) – BMW East Rand
- Best Retailer in Financial Services (small-medium) – BMW Pinetown
- Best Retailer in Financial Services (motorrad) – BMW Motorrad Sandton
- Best Retailer in Customer Support (large) – BMW Midrand
- Best Retailer in Customer Support (small-medium) – BMW Cape Town City
- Best Retailer in Customer Support (motorrad) – BMW Motorrad East Rand
Ford
- National Dealer of the Year – Rola Ford Robertson
- National Dealer Group of the Year – Human Auto Group
- Dealer of the Year Category A – Human Auto Bloemfontein
- Dealer of the Year Category B – Westvaal Numbi Ford White River
- Dealer of the Year Category C – Human Auto Welkom
- Dealer of the Year Category D – B and R Motors Delareyville
- Dealer of the Year Category E – Rola Ford Robertson
Hyundai
- Overall Dealer of the Year – Hyundai N1 City
- Dealer of the Year Category A – Hyundai N1 City
- Dealer of the Year Category B – Hyundai Springs
- Dealer of the Year Category C – Hyundai Lichtenburg
- Sales Dealer of the Year Category A – Hyundai Hillcrest
- Sales Dealer of the Year Category B – Hyundai Springs
- Sales Dealer of the Year Category C – Hyundai Ermelo
- Service Dealer of the Year Category A – Hyundai Northcliff
- Service Dealer of the Year Category B – Hyundai Vereeniging
- Service Dealer of the Year Category C – Hyundai Jeffreys Bay
- Parts Dealer of the Year Category A – Hyundai Sandton
- Parts Dealer of the Year Category B – Hyundai Richards Bay
- Parts Dealer of the Year Category C – Hyundai Lichtenburg
Kia
- Overall Dealer of the Year – Kia Vereeniging
- Dealer of the Year Category A – Kia East Rand
- Dealer of the Year Category B – Kia Brackenfell
- Dealer of the Year Category C – Kia Vereeniging
- Dealer of the Year Category D – Kia Paarl
- Sales Dealer of the Year Category A – Kia East Rand
- Sales Dealer of the Year Category B – Kia Sandton
- Sales Dealer of the Year Category C – Kia Vereeniging
- Sales Dealer of the Year Category D – Kia Eswatini
- Aftersales Dealer of the Year Category A – Kia East Rand
- Aftersales Dealer of the Year Category B – Kia Ballito
- Aftersales Dealer of the Year Category C – Kia Hermanus
- Aftersales Dealer of the Year Category D – Kia Tzaneen
Mini
- Retailer of the Year – Mini Midrand
- Best Retailer in Sales (large) – Mini Cape Town City
- Best Retailer in Sales (small-medium) – Mini Nelson Mandela
- Best Retailer in Financial Services – Mini Midrand
- Best Retailer in Customer Support – Mini Tygervalley
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