Finance and Insurance managers are an integral part of every vehicle dealership, new or pre-owned. They do not only enable customers to receive a full service in terms of financing and insurance for a vehicle purchase, but also drive dealership profitability.
Lightstone Auto, in an effort to highlight and reward the hard work of F&Is, has just celebrated its first annual Star Reacher Awards. With these awards, the F&Is performance is measured for their contribution to the sale of value-added products & services within their respective dealerships.
This is the first-of-its-kind incentive programme available exclusively to Lightstone users and clients through their bespoke Signio platform, which was launched during April 2021.
Pieter Wessels, Managing Director at Lightstone Auto, congratulated all the winners and runners-up in the inaugural programme. “Their achievements are exceptional as the competition was tough, with more than 700 F&I managers competing in the programme from across South Africa.”
The programme measures F&I managers’ performance across five key focus areas that encourage industry excellence and drive digital adoption in the industry. Every quarter, winners in each category are awarded prizes and this culminates in an annual awards ceremony where overall performance over the 12-month period is recognised.
Wessels says: “At Lightstone, Auto we believe in the value and impact F&I managers have on a motor dealerships’ profitability, and this programme creates an opportunity to recognise and celebrate top performing F&I managers. I look forward to this annual programme becoming a highlight in South African dealerships’ calendars.”
The overall winners received holiday prizes to the value of R30 000 each and the runners-up received experience-based prizes to the value of R8 000 each.
The results:
|
Winner per category |
Dealership |
Category* |
|
Stefanus Jonker |
Ruby Category |
|
|
Yvette Smit |
Amethyst Category |
|
|
Timothy Chowles |
Sapphire Category |
|
|
Shelby van Tonder |
Emerald Category |
|
|
Amanda Steyl |
Topaz Category |
|
Runner-up per category |
Dealership |
Category* |
|
MP van Staden |
Ruby Category |
|
|
Yasmin Vadia |
Amethyst Category |
|
|
Danel Botha |
Sapphire Category |
|
|
Chantelle Nieman |
Emerald Category |
|
|
Lauren Erendsen |
Topaz Category |
* F&I managers are linked to their dealers, who are segmented into categories based on average monthly sales volumes. This ensures that F&I managers compete with colleagues at dealerships with similar sales volumes. The categories are segmented as follows:
Topaz Category (Entry volume)
Emerald Category (Low volume)
Sapphire Category (Medium volume)
Amethyst Category (High volume)
Ruby Category (Mega volume)
General Motors (GM) has renewed its joint venture with China's SAIC Motor Corp for another 20 years, enabling the United States (US) automaker to use China as an export hub amid rising competition from Chinese brands in and outside their home market.
Audi South Africa has expanded its compact SUV line-up with the introduction of the new Q2 S line derivative.
LDV South Africa has added a new entry model to its line‑up with the launch of the T60 Utility Single Cab. Priced from R299 900, it is positioned as one of the most affordable single‑cab bakkies in the country, aimed at businesses and fleet operators who require a dependable workhorse with modern equipment.
Advertisement
Advertisement
I have bad reflexes. I was once run over by a car being pushed by two guys
Woody Allen
General Motors (GM) has renewed its joint venture with China's SAIC Motor Corp for another 20 years, enabling the United States (US) automaker to use China as an export hub amid rising competition from Chinese brands in and outside their home market.
Young South African motorists are increasingly opting for more affordable and practical vehicles as the cost of living puts pressure on household budgets, while still maintaining comprehensive insurance cover.
The row over BMW’s Spider-Man promotion is not really about superheroes. It is about trust, control and the creeping feeling that modern cars are becoming digital platforms first and private possessions second.
