DaimlerChrysler Dealer Network

DCSA's dealer network is a professional, customer-orientated entity, incorporating some 90 Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner (including Western Star), Chrysler, Jeep and Colt dealer outlets throughout Southern Africa. This extensive network ensures quality service, and mirrors DCSA's premiums portfolio of brands. In a landmark move, DCSA entered the retail industry during 2001 through the acquisition of a 75% share in Sandown Motor Holdings. DCSA also runs a very successful "simply the best" dealer network program.

Dealer Development

DaimlerChrysler South Africa has embarked on a ground-breaking Black Economic Empowerment funding initiative that will assist in the acquisition of a 25 per cent black shareholding in local Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Jeep, Mitsubishi and Freightliner dealerships within the next three years. This BEE initiative forms an integral and compulsory part of DCSA’s new Dealer Network Strategy.

To ensure a customer-orientated and profitable network for sales and services, DCSA's Dealer Development department has committed itself to the following objectives:

• Improvement of dealer system and business processes through the DaimlerChrysler Dealer Management Systems (DCDMS);
• Focused measurement and management of dealer performance;
• Fostering of professional business partnerships;
• Maintaining and developing the different brand images through franchise standards;
• Developing a retail network strategy to meet future challenges of automotive retailing;
• Improving used car operational support.

All these objectives provide the framework for a shared vision - to become simply the best dealer network in Southern Africa.The annual Dealer of the Year competition is a recognition and reward programme designed to compare dealers of similar circumstances through a standardized set of measures. Careful consideration is given to the customer experience, and dealers are divided into one of seven categories based on sales volume and product offering. Each category qualifies for an reward, with the ultimate accolade being the Chairman's Award for superior performance.

Chairman's Award Winners
1998: McCarthy Motors Menlyn
1999: NMI Old Fort Road
2000: McCarthy Motors Menlyn
2001: Orbit Motors N1 City (Bellville)
2002: De Wit se Garage(Ermelo)