Southern Sales and Service Company Limited has increased its share of the T&T's car market from 17 to 23 per cent and brand director Shiraz Ahamad said this achievement during 2015 came about even as other automotive companies were reporting declines.
In addition to the popular Kia range for which Ahamad has specific responsibility, Southern Sales also sells the Audi, Mazda, and Isuzu brands locally.
He said the company's growth is the result of its leadership model where its owners are involved in the company's daily operations.He told the T&T Guardian: "Southern Sales, started from very small and humble beginnings in San Fernando.
there we grew to three generations strong with over 60 years of continuous successful business and now proudly represents four strong international brands–Mazda, Isuzu, Audi and Kia–all very widely accepted and successful in both T&T and internationally.
"In addition to having two locations in San Fernando and Port-of-Spain and an agent in Tobago, we can also boast of having the number one corporate car rental and leasing division in T&T. Southern Sales employs over 400 members of staff to support our sales, after sales, car rental and leasing and other divisions in the group."
Ahamad said the company's success is due to the vision of his father, the late Nazir Ahamad. He spoke fondly of his father's passion for the automotive world and his unique and result oriented business savvy which earned him the respect and admiration of the business community.
"In 2010, Kia held a market share of 8.5 per cent in T&T. Today Kia controls a commanding 14 per cent market share and growing, making it one of the fastest growing auto brands in T&T.
"Customers love Kia's innovation and its detail to meeting the changing needs of today's customers. Customers love Kia's innovation and its detail to meeting the changing needs of today's customers.
The result has been total satisfaction from our customers who love the car's dynamic and different look, with lots of features and benefits all put together giving the customer more for less," he said.
Ahamad said Southern Sales is focusing on customer development and retention programmes, upgraded service facilities and experiences for the customers as the long term relationship begins after the sale.
"The future looks very bright for Kia, for this company, our customers and T&T, as we continue to make our dream cars easier for our customers to own and enjoy," he said.
"Today, Kia is represented in 172 countries with over 43,000 employees and produces 1.5 million vehicles annually from its manufacturing and assembly plants in eight countries. Over the past few years, we have experienced one of the most successful periods in Kia's history, highlighted by Kia's twelfth consecutive year of worldwide sales growth and first place ranking among non-premium brands in JD Power's initial quality study in 2015."