The major revamp of Pupkewitz Toyota dealership in Windhoek, is in its final stages, with the Automark Certified Used Cars showroom already looking spruced-up, with final construction of the completed project set for May this year.

In a statement issued earlier by Etienne Steenkamp (GM Pupkewitz Toyota), he said that the renovations which started last year are being done to improve many areas, especially the workshop flow and to provide faster after-sales services to customers.

Woema posed a few questions to Steenkamp earlier this week to shed some light on what he terms as the new look and feel Toyota Concept.

What exactly does the showroom revamp entail?

It is called a 'New Retail Concept' with the same franchise "look and feel" for all Toyota dealerships. At the same time we did certain capacity increases, on our Parts Warehouse and Service department

What was the reason for the revamp?

With the ever-increasing competition between vehicle manufacturers, Toyota SA felt it needed to enhance its brand image, and its franchise requirement further.

Just something on the new brands you are running, as well as the Automark set-up.

Our product range is quite diverse from a N$100,000s Aygo to a N$1.2 million Lexus. Hence our salespeople should have the poise and skill to deal with diverse customers in all LSM segments. We believe that we have the widest product range to suit all customer needs. Iconic for us is the Toyota Hilux, Fortuner and Land Cruiser on the light commercial range, as well as the Corolla on the passenger range. We are keenly awaiting the new entry-level Etios in May and the F86 sports derivative in October. We strive to be the top of mind brand in selling used Toyota vehicles at our Automark which in its own right is becoming a 2nd brand identity for Toyota.

How many people are employed at the new showroom on sales?

We employ up to 25 staff at the front office and back-office sales people in new vehicle sales, and up to 10 at used vehicle sales.

What was the estimated cost of the entire refurbishment project

That figure is confidential, but you can be certain that it was substantial.

Ending off, Steenkamp said that Pupkewitz Toyota, a subsidiary of Pupkewitz Motor Division, has grown tremendously and has managed to maintain its reputation as the leading supplier of new and used vehicles of the Toyota and Automark brands in the country, since its establishment in 1975.