Fostering a sense of community and collaboration within the vehicle financing industry, Bank Windhoek hosted a night of celebration and recognition of the hard work and achievements of salespersons and car dealerships in central Namibia. Bank Windhoek’s annual Vehicle and Asset Finance (VAF) Sekt Sales Awards took place on Thursday, 31 October 2024, in Windhoek.
In its previous financial year, Bank Windhoek financed over 2000 personal and commercial vehicles worth over N$1 billion. The awards celebrated the collective efforts and accomplishments of the automotive industry’s commitment to the region.
At the event, Bank Windhoek’s Executive Officer of Retail Banking Services and Specialist Finance, James Chapman, said that Bank Windhoek is geared to facilitate vehicle sales, offering the necessary support to empower consumers to make essential purchases. As a collective, he said the automotive industry and the Bank can create a robust ecosystem that promotes vehicle ownership and supports the growth of local communities.
Chapman added that adapting to new technologies and ensuring that sales teams are equipped with the knowledge and skills to meet evolving consumer expectations is essential. “As we look to the future, collaboration will be paramount. The automotive industry cannot thrive in isolation. We must foster partnerships between dealerships, manufacturers, financial service providers, and stakeholders.
As we endeavour to grow the vehicle market in Namibia, let us remember that development opportunities are abundant. With strategic partnerships, we can tap into new markets and services, better serve our customers, and address the emerging challenges we face head-on,” he said.
Navigating tough terrain
The top salesperson for new vehicles from Pupkewitz Toyota, Jaco Nel, was happy to receive his award, saying he enjoys his profession. “The year has been a good challenge for us. We conquered challenging times with interest rates and stock, but our brand was united with great support from Bank Windhoek,” he said.
The top salesperson for used vehicles, Marius Coetzee of Windhoek Carzone Auto Sales, agreed that the market has been quite challenging. He said that with fantastic support, one can consistently achieve great things. “I have the privilege of working with a great Bank Windhoek consultant who made sales processes easier. I am very grateful for my award tonight; this is motivation to continue reaching for my sales and dealership targets, which I believe can be achieved by hard work and honesty,” said Coetzee.
After joining the automotive industry two years ago, Wayne Berry of Metjie & Zigler-Mahindra received a silver award as a top salesperson in new vehicle sales. Holding onto his prize and excited to share his experience, Berry said receiving an award was a surprise. Figuratively, he said, “When I started, I was thrown into the deep waters and had to keep swimming.”