In a year marked by volatile operating costs, tightening compliance demands and strong headwinds across global supply chains, Daimler Truck Southern Africa (DTSA) has reaffirmed its commitment to performance through partnership, recognising its top-performing dealers at the annual Dealer of the Year (DOTY) awards held on 12 April 2025.
With the theme “Moving Beyond the Ordinary”, the 2024 DOTY event celebrated dealership resilience, innovation and the power of putting customers first – hallmarks of success in a logistics environment where the pressure on uptime, service delivery and regulatory compliance has never been greater.
Taking home the top honours as DTSA’s 2024 EliteClass winner and Overall Dealer of the Year, Orbit Commercial Vehicles Cape Town once again proved why customer centricity, service excellence and rigorous compliance standards are key to fleet and dealership growth in a shifting market. Already a two-time DOTY winner (2021, 2022), Orbit CV Cape Town raised the bar across all KPIs: operational efficiency, global dealer standards, customer satisfaction and finance penetration.
As the 2024 EliteClass winner, the dealership will represent DTSA at the prestigious Daimler Truck Overseas EliteClub, joining global peers recognised for exemplary performance and strategic alignment.
Maretha Gerber, president and Group CEO of DTSA says: “Orbit Commercial Vehicles Cape Town is a true example of a dealership that pursues excellence, constantly innovating, improving and exceeding expectations by truly understanding their customers’ needs. They do not aspire to be good, but to be the best, leaving their customers and stakeholders feeling valued and satisfied after every interaction. They set the benchmark.”
Gerber adds: “Stars shine brightest in the darkest skies, and the DTSA dealers and general distributors truly showed resilience, dedication and commitment in 2024. Thank you to our network partners for their continued partnership and congratulations once again to all the winners across the various categories.”
Financial Services: Supporting Sustainable Fleet Growth
Amid ongoing economic constraints and capital pressures on transport businesses, the role of finance partners has become more critical than ever. Mike Honiball, CEO of Daimler Truck Financial Services South Africa, acknowledged the backbone role of dealerships in driving finance penetration and supporting client sustainability.
“Daimler Truck Financial Services had yet another successful year in 2024. Thank you to our entire dealer network; we would not be able to achieve what we do without you. Congratulations to all the winners at the 2024 DOTY, and in particular, Ronnies Commercial Vehicles East London for being the Best Financial Services Dealer for FUSO Trucks in 2024, as well as Orbit Commercial Vehicles Cape Town for being the Best Financial Services Dealer for Mercedes-Benz Trucks and DTSA’s 2024 EliteClass winner and Overall Dealer of the Year,” Honiball concludes.
DOTY 2024 – Full List of Award Winners
Best Retail Sales Dealer
Recognising consistent monthly sales target achievement:
- Mercedes-Benz Trucks: New Vaal Motors Kimberley
- FUSO Trucks: NMI Commercial Vehicles Durban
Best Customer Service & Parts (CSP) Dealer
Honouring exceptional aftersales support and parts performance:
- Mercedes-Benz Trucks: De Wit Motors Commercial Vehicles Ermelo
- FUSO Trucks: Ronnies Motors Commercial Vehicles East London
Best CSP & Overall Bus Dealer
Recognising outstanding service and sales in the bus segment:
- Mercedes-Benz Bus (CSP): Sandown Commercial Vehicles Bus Centre
- Mercedes-Benz Bus (Overall): Sandown Commercial Vehicles Bus Centre
Best Export Partner
Celebrating excellence in cross-border sales and parts support:
- Mercedes-Benz Trucks: Technica Industrial – Mozambique
- FUSO Trucks: Naledi Motors – Gaborone
Best Daimler Truck Financial Services Dealer
For consistent finance penetration excellence:
- Mercedes-Benz Trucks: Orbit Commercial Vehicles Cape Town
- FUSO Trucks: Ronnies Motors Commercial Vehicles East London
Best TruckStore Agent
Top performer in used vehicle retail and remarketing:
- Winner: Orbit Commercial Vehicles Cape Town
Editor’s note: As supply chains across the region evolve under new economic realities, DTSA’s 2024 DOTY awards prove that those who centre on customer value, prioritise compliance and deliver consistent operational excellence will not only survive – but lead.
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