Volkswagen hosted its 32nd Grand Prix Awards Ceremony at Vergelegen Wine Estate in Cape Town last week, bringing together top performers from across its dealer network.
The prestigious Grand Prix Awards celebrate the efforts and achievements of the dealer network over the past year, recognising excellence in service and performance.
In a statement released by Volkswagen, the company revealed that the ceremony honoured 72 members of the Volkswagen dealer network across 17 distinct categories. “The prestigious awards celebrated excellence in dealership performance, with highlights including the coveted Micro and Macro Group of the Year awards,” the statement explained.
Head of Brand, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Niels Wichmann, emphasised the crucial role of dealers in the brand’s success. “Volkswagen’s unparalleled success in South Africa rests upon the unwavering foundation of our esteemed dealer network,” he said. “Their relentless dedication, exemplary service, and profound passion not only sustain our market leadership but also elevate the Volkswagen legacy. We gather to honour their tireless efforts and steadfast commitment to excellence, a pledge that continues to drive our brand forward.”
The highlight of the evening was the coveted Dealer of the Year Award, which was presented to Ryan Brews of Hatfield Volkswagen Melrose Arch, marking his first win in this prestigious category. “This award recognises the dealership that consistently delivers outstanding results across all business areas,” the statement explained.
Building on the celebration of individual excellence, Michael Kaftel from Hatfield Group received the Macro Dealer Group of the Year award for the eighth consecutive year. This remarkable achievement underscores the group’s consistent performance, with the statement noting that “their consistent excellence contributed at least 8% of Volkswagen’s total dealer sales.”
Further recognition went to Kevin Pillay of CFAO Group, who received the Dealer Group Award in acknowledgment of their outstanding performance in supporting the Volkswagen brand throughout the year.
Reflecting on the significance of these partnerships, Niels concluded the ceremony with a powerful statement: “This is the power of partnership, where excellence becomes tradition, and dedication writes the next chapter of our success.”
