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- Isuzu wins gold in the South African Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association Awards.
- Volkswagen and Toyota has to settle for silver and bronze awards respectively.
- Mini receives a special award for its service delivery to the sector as a niche brand.
- For motoring news, go to Wheels24
The South African Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (SAVRALA) recently held its annual Manufacturer of the Year Awards (MOTY) in Johannesburg.
Isuzu came out on top, scooping the prestigious Gold prize in the Rental and Leasing categories. Volkswagen scored Silver this year, while Toyota went home with the Bronze prize. Speaking at the awards function, Sandile Ntseoane, general manager of SAVRALA, said that 2021 was, without a doubt, one of the most challenging years for the South African rental and leasing sector.
"The car rental industry has been significantly affected by the pandemic and resulting travel restrictions and decline in disposable income. Demand from our corporate, government, insurance replacement and leisure clients declined markedly since March 2020. Despite this, members have remained resilient, embracing the opportunity to continue playing their positive role of delivering customers' transport needs," he expounded.
Ntseoane explained that innovation and responsiveness have seen members adapt their business models to meet the changing needs of an increasingly diverse domestic customer base, expanding their offerings, building increased capability and embracing digitisation.
"The 26th Manufacturer of the Year Awards are a testimony that, through all these storms, SAVRALA has held firm to its motto, to 'steer industry standards'," Ntseoane said. "2020 turned our lives around and changed the way we do business, and that disruption continued into 2021. Those who can adapt best to the challenges and changing needs of the industry will continue to be successful in the long run."
How the SAVRALA AWARDS work
The SAVRALA MOTY awards have become an industry-standard through which association members, who manage about 400 000 vehicles per year, reward motor manufacturers for the level of service and support provided. This year, 35 of the largest rental and leasing companies in South Africa completed two surveys, covering criteria across various business areas such as communication and contact with the manufacturers, the support provided, maintenance issues, and various financial aspects of B-BBEE compliance.
A panel comprising knowledgeable employees about each criterion evaluates each manufacturer against the survey questions to eliminate personal bias. This approach ensures an objective, company-wide perspective is obtained and that the manufacturers can use the results to identify and address the gaps in their service delivery to the vehicle rental and leasing industries.
2021 SAVRALA MOTY winners
Rental category
This year, car rental companies highlighted Isuzu's continuous and consistent delivery of good service, boosted by the company's level one B-BBEE score, the best achieved to date by any participating manufacturer. These variables saw Isuzu win the gold award in the Rental category, with Volkswagen moving up from their third spot in 2020 into second, thus moving Toyota down to third.
The MOTY Value award is presented to the automotive member that has scored the most combined points for the Financial section and, for the fourth year running, the winner is Toyota.
The MOTY Tutuka award recognises the best scoring automotive member who supply lower and niche vehicle volumes to the car rental industry, and Mini took top honours in this category for the third consecutive year.
Leasing category
Isuzu continued its sterling performance in the Leasing section and was again awarded Gold in the Leasing category for 2021. Volkswagen moved into a podium position for the first time since 2018, taking Silver while Toyota moved one place down, taking the Bronze award in this category.
The Value award for the Manufacturer scoring the best for the Financial section on the Leasing survey was awarded to Isuzu, winning this award for the first time.
South African Rental and Leasing companies also nominated individuals for the MOTY Best Representative Award based on their performance and support during the year. Faan Fourie from Toyota was voted the best Account Representative in the Leasing section for the third consecutive year, ending his career on a high note as he has now retired.
Soya Jita, also from Toyota, received the award for being the best Account Representative in the Rental section. Special congratulations also went out to Toyota's Ramatjitla Penyane for being voted the best Technical Representative in the Leasing and Rental categories, winning this award for the last four years.
Isuzu responds
Wheels24 asked Isuzu's sales and marketing senior vice president, Craig Uren, a few pertinent questions regarding the company's recent successes and its plans for 2022.
1) Wheels24: How important is it for Isuzu, as a brand, to be honoured for its service delivery in the rental and leasing space, considering the challenges of the past year due to lockdown?
Craig Uren: For any manufacturer service delivery is the cornerstone to success. Service delivery establishes, maintains and retains relationships in the rental and leasing space. To be honoured in this forum is extremely important to us as a brand, as it talks to who we are as Isuzu. Service delivery is an ongoing process, which we always strive to improve on.
2) Wheels24: How does Isuzu ensure that it meets its customers’ needs in this challenging, highly competitive sector of rentals and leasing?
Craig Uren: We have tried to adapt ourselves in the way we conduct business in the leasing and rental space to maintain and improve the support and thereby meeting or exceeding the expectations of our customers. Integrity, honesty, and accessibility go a long way in this sector. Finding ways to assist the customer as well as regularly interacting with customers has strengthened the relationship between Isuzu and the leasing and rental customers.
3) Wheels24: What are some of the most popular Isuzu vehicles in the rental and leasing space? (Does D-MAX lead the way, or is mu-X the leader here?)
Craig Uren: D-MAX is well represented in the leasing and rental space, specifically the Single Cab and Double Cab Workhorse models such as the Fleetside, Fleetside Safety and Hi-Ride 4X4 models.
4) Wheels24: Can you share your thoughts on 2022 and whether you think the market for rentals and leasing will improve in 2022?
Craig Uren: The easing down of lockdown restrictions and the lift of the travel ban for South Africa has shown an uptick in tourism industry. This should in turn result in a positive uptick in rental and leasing as such many companies may prepare to replace their fleets.
5) Wheels24: Was 2021 a challenging year for you in this space?
Craig Uren: As for many Industries, OEMs and customers in South Africa the short answer is, yes. Although a positive position to be in, the challenge was meeting expectations under the lockdown circumstances. However, with every challenge, there is always a solution, and I believe the Isuzu team has done well here as they are committed to assist as much as possible.
