A sense of accomplishment is a wonderful feeling – more often than not we feel accomplished when we have achieved a work goal, when we are recognised for doing something well, or when we meet a deadline.  Less often we feel that same sense of achievement when we have spent quality time with family and friends, or when we see that special little smile from our newest family member.  It is important to remember that we all deserve a break from time to time, a sort-of escape from reality. For some that could be enjoying the company of the people you love, heading out for an adventure with your Suzuki, or investing time in activities which bring you enjoyment.

This month the Suzuki WP 4×4 club share their experience chasing snow in the Matroosberg, and we give you a glimpse of our Suzuki Auto South Africa MD, Mr Yukio Sato, investing some time in one of his favourite activities – fishing.  We also congratulate the Suzuki Mobility Finance team on their achievement at the Wesbank’s Motor Division prestigious Annual Gala Awards evening.

Bass Lake, a popular spot for adventure therapy, hosts not only the winners of the Women on Wheels and Suzuki competition, but also the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists, as they experience the joy of the Jimny and Grand Vitara while tackling the 4×4 trail.  We have a great review of the Suzuki Ciaz, we share the details of the update to the Jimny’s audio system, as well as news of additions to the Suzuki Marine products.

Suzuki Motorcycles recognise their top dealers, and we reveal some of the great experiences from you, our Suzuki family, that you shared with us this month.

So as spring arrives, we hope that you are able to make some time in your day to relax, to feel a sense of accomplishment and to do what you love.

Until next time

Safe driving.

Congratulations to Suzuki Mobility Finance who were recently awarded the Most Improved Business Unit 2014/2015 at the prestigious WesBank Motor Division’s Select Circle gala Evening.  We are proud to partner with Frik Schoeman and his team who deliver so highly to both our dealers and our customers.  Thank you for being such dedicated members of our Suzuki family.

(From Left to Right:  Simphiwe Nghona: Executive Head Motor Retail; Frik Schoeman: Head Suzuki Mobility Finance; Chris de Kock: CEO WesBank)

The prestigious WesBank Motor Division’s Select Circle Gala Evening was held on 13 August 2015 at Kloofzicht Lodge in Muldersdrift in the form of a Black Tie event.  Suzuki Mobility Finance was awarded ‘MOST IMPROVED BUSINESS UNIT 2014/2015”

The success criteria that saw SMF won this coveted accolade were:

DSI (Dealer Satisfaction Index) Net promoter score increased from 66.7% to 100%

CSI (Customer Service Indicator) Net promoter score increased from 71.6% to 78.4%

Total Market Share increased to 40%

iContract Performance increased from 75.5% to 84.4%

Frik would like to thank all Suzuki Dealers for their continued support and this awesome brand. Let’s go for Best JV 2015/2016!!

Brent Ellis – automotive media expert, all round motoring enthusiast and founder of journobrent.co.za – took a spin in the “ridiculously economical” Ciaz 1.4 GLX, loving it. Interesting design elements in the exterior; luxurious, spacious interiors; and a long list of standard features; all worked together to create a car that he found “genuinely difficult to fault.” Read about his experience, and then book a test drive at your nearest Suzuki dealer – don’t miss out on this winner!

http://journobrent.co.za/driven-suzuki-ciaz-1-4-glx/

Book a Test Drive – https://www.suzukiauto.co.za/models/ciaz/overview/

The iconic Suzuki Jimny has received an update to its audio system which will further enhance any adventure you embark on with your favorite Suzuki. With a number of improved features, such as MP3 compatibility and Bluetooth capabilities, your Jimny is about to become even better.  Have a look at all the details and contact your nearest Suzuki dealer to book your test drive!

http://www.suzukiauto.co.za/enhanced-audio-evergreen-suzuki-jimny/

Work well done deserves recognition, and it is once again that time of year where Suzuki Motorcycles recognises the achievements of their dealers.  Well done to all the winners – thank you for representing the Suzuki brand and expanding the Suzuki family as you introduce more people to the Suzuki Way of Life.

Well done to Suzuki South for not only being the number 1 dealer in 2014, but for also achieving two other awards – the Goliath Award for most unit sales 250cc and over sales for 2014, as well as the Spares award for being the highest purchaser of Suzuki Spares.

Suzuki Toy Store achieved second place in the unit sales while third place, and the Scoot and Deliver award for most scooters and commercial units sales for 2014, went to Suzuki Motorcycle Mecca.

Fourth place in unit sales for 2014 went to Primrose Motorcycles, and Grabouw achieved fifth place in overall unit sales as well as the award for most quad sales in 2014.

Finally, well done to Grant Umpleby for the award for the most agricultural motorcycle sales for 2014.

To all the winners – well done and we wish you continued success.

Goliath award – Suzuki South (L-R) Dominic Nessling – Suzuki Area Manager, Yukio Sato – Managing Director, Nibs Cragg and Rob Cragg from Suzuki South

Top five dealers with (L-R) Clint Lake – Suzuki Area Manager, Nelle Boshoff from Suzuki Toy Store, Yukio Sato – MD, Hannes Smuts from Suzuki Grabouw, Symm Grobler from Suzuki Motorcycle Mecca, Luigi Gasparini from Primrose Motorcycles, and Dominic Nessling – Suzuki Area Manager.

Hannes Smuts (centre) from Suzuki Grabouw receives the Quad award from Yukio Sato – MD Suzuki SA, and Dominic Nessling – Suzuki Area Manager.

Gary Holloway from  Grant Umpleby Motorcycles receives the Agriculture Award from Yukio Sato – MD Suzuki SA.  With him are Clint Lake (L) – Suzuki Area Manager and Dominic Nessling – Suzuki Area Manager.

Scoot and Deliver Award: (L-R) Clint Lake – Suzuki Area Manager, Yukio Sato – MD, and Symm Grobler from Suzuki Motorcycle Mecca

Receiving the Spares Award from MD Yukio Sato is Nibs Cragg from Suzuki South, as well as Rob Cragg from Suzuki South, and Iqbal Akoo from Suzuki SA.

Suzuki Marine is Suzumar range is once again extending its offering.  The range currently consists of 3 inflatable boats: DS290AL, DS350RIB and DS390AL, which are all manufactured from PVC material.  At Suzuki Marine, we sometimes receive enquiries for hypalon inflatables to be used as tenders for the yachts – and we listened.  Suzuki Marine is now importing two Suzumars which are manufactured from hypalon material and will be welcomed by the yachting fraternity.  Read all the details below and get in touch with your nearest Suzuki Marine dealer for more information – or to order yours today.

Suzuki Marine has augmented its current range of PVC inflatables with the addition of two hypalon inflatable models, specifically designed for use as tenders by the yachting fraternity.

Both the 3,48 m Suzumar DS350RIB and the 3,79 m DS380RIB are semi-rigid designs manufactured from the rugged hypalon material preferred by yacht builders and yacht owners. The inflatables are fitted with a horizontal seat, although a pilot seat can be provided.

The two inflatables have also been designed to accommodate a centre console, which is supplied separately. This allows the inflatables either to be fitted with a tiller handle motor, or to be supplied with a specific console.

As the DS350 and DS380 are compatible with short-shaft outboard engines only, Suzumar stocks the DF20ATS and DF30ATS Suzuki outboards specifically for use with the two new inflatables.

The new Suzumar hypalon inflatables will be actively marketed to South Africa’s world-renowned yacht-building industry, which supplies top-quality motorised and non-motorised yachts to markets around the world, as well as to existing yacht owners seeking to replace or upgrade their current tender.

The advent of the two hypalon inflatables brings the locally available range of Suzumar inflatables to five, with the other three employing a proven and popular PVC construction.

Watch the video below:  <iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/G7AT0Z9um1k” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>

Last month our MD at Suzuki Auto South Africa, Mr Yukio Sato took a well-deserved break out of the office to live the Suzuki Way of Life.  After the successful Durban Boat Show, he spent some time in Durban with two keen Suzuki supporters.    These two Suzuki fans were also dedicated fishermen, and along with Sato san and Tanja Maes our marine manager, they went fishing!

After leaving at 3 am on board a Butt Cat fitted with two DF90 Suzuki outboards, they headed 40 minutes off Durban harbour towards the Umhlanga area before throwing a line in the water.  After hooking some mackerel, which was used as live bait, they then went on to catch a number of fish including red snapper.  The highlight of the days fishing was when Sato san landed a 15,5kg Daga Salmon an hour into the adventure.

Not only did Suzuki management get to spend some time with their fans – they also got to partake in one of their favourite pastimes.

Thanks to our loyal Suzuki fans for this wonderful opportunity!

Women on Wheels recently ran a promotion calling readers to let WOW and Suzuki teach them how to be an off-road expert. All they had to do was enter the competition on-line and subscribe to their newsletter.  Women on Wheels share the details of the day where the five lucky winners got to enjoy a day living the Suzuki Way of Life.  If you are interested in becoming an off-road expert yourself, contact Bass Lake to book your date with a Suzuki.

On Saturday 15 August 2015 Women on Wheels and Suzuki hosted the Suzuki off-road training course drive day for 5 lucky winners and their partners.

Readers were treated to a delicious continental breakfast before being welcomed by WOW editor, Charleen Clarke and Suzuki representative, Megan MacDonald. While winners enjoyed their breakfast they were briefed by Alan Pepper, owner and 4×4 driving instructor of Bass Lake Adventures where the event took place.

Each winner and their partner was given either the Suzuki Jimny or Grand Vitara to drive for the day and were able to experience first hand what the vehicles can really do off road. It included driving through very tricky obstacles including a large body of water. After a fun filled morning of driving, winners enjoyed a lovely lunch followed by manis and pedis for everyone as well as a wine tasting by Four Cousins Wine’s new Skinny Lite range, a perfect alternative for the upcoming Summer months. After much fun was had by all, winners headed home with a goody bag bursting with delicious treats for the ride home.

http://www.womenonwheels.co.za/events/suzuki-4×4-course-readers-day-gallery

To book your own training session at Bass Lake contact them at 016 366 1127/8 or info@basslake.co.za

Visit them at http://www.basslake.co.za/ to discover more about the great adventures they have on offer.