By: Mpho Shelile

To generate buzz around the new truck models and help the company establish relationships with potential customers and partners, FAW Trucks held a car show which is celebrated annually to give potential buyers a feel for the trucks.

The sales and marketing manager of FAW Trucks Mr. Mabeane Ntoko who has worked with the organisation since 2013. Goodwill Auto Clinic has about four branches, and FAW Trucks is the third one, their sales department covers the four branches.  “In Lesotho banks are normally the ones that invite car dealers to their events, and we have been awaiting their invitation for a long time This year took it upon ourselves to initiate our very own show”, he further indicated that they invited the likes of: Nedbank, their insurance company LNIG Hollard and a tracking company called Tracker Lesotho.

“We know that these three companies are basically what one needs when buying a car, and with this show we had hoped to provide an opportunity for the company to gather feedback and learn more about what customers are looking for in their trucks. Car shows are a great platform to showcase the company’s latest products and attract potential customers.”  Stressing that they appreciated the effort their partners in business did of inviting their best clients to the event. The outcome of their show managed to secure them two tucks sales in a space of three days, so the event was indeed beneficial after all.

Mr. Mabeane indicated that they have about 40 employees at Faw, however cannot disclose the number of employees at the other branches. “So I can safely attest that we are contributing immensely to the growth of our economy. We all know that a thriving economy encourages innovation and productivity. When businesses and individuals have an incentive to improve and compete, it leads to the development of new technologies, products, and services, which can benefit society as a whole and Faw takes each and every opportunity it gets to make sure it gives back.”

Mr. Mabeane believes that it is the company’s unrivalled set-up of brands that differentiates it from its competitors. “It allows us to cater for the entire markets, rather than specific segments or applications,” he explained.

“The brand Faw is a premium brand driven by innovation, safety and technology, whereas it is also highly reliable workhorse, a proper product for nearly all applications and segments. It is also in our DNA to offer, together with our dealer partners, the entire value chain. We are not just delivering a product, we deliver finance, services, connectivity and telematics, uptime and a used truck business. We offer to our valued customers the comprehensive solution out of one hand.”

In an interview with informative Mr. Mabeane was asked what their focus is over the next 12 to 18 months, he mentioned that they will continue to focus on training and developing their stuff. “We will also continue to elevate customer service. We regularly monitor customers’ satisfaction levels to guide us in this task. In addition, we are developing more digital solutions to better connect and engage with our customers. A lot of emphasis has also gone into procuring good suppliers and joint service providers to ensure that we deliver the best to our customers, at the same time maintaining beneficial relationships.”

There is one other ingredient for success Mr. Mabeane believes that no company should be without, and Faw Trucks has it in spades. He says, “You have to be passionate about your work. I feel that these days it is very easy for people to work purely for the money, but when you work with a strong passion, when you’re making your customer smile with trust, that’s success. The money will follow at a later stage.”

Not forgetting one of their loyal friends the GOLF1 team, on which Mr. Mabeane stated they are grateful for the consistent support they have shown them, hence they also decided to surprise them by joining them in their event at Khubetsoana which was a Cooperate Social Responsibility (CSR) project. Where they chose to give back to the community by donating food parcels to hundred residents who are less fortunate. “A road show hosted by a truck company is a win-win situation, providing a unique opportunity to connect with the community, promote the company’s brand, and make a positive impact in communities”, he said.

“Giving back to the community is not only a moral imperative but we believe it is also a way to create a more compassionate, connected, and prosperous society. We hope this benefits individuals, organizations, and the community as a whole, contributing to a better quality of life for everyone involved and promote a sense of belonging. We also would like to make a positive impact on the lives of those facing hardship and contribute to a more compassionate and equitable society. Collaborative efforts to support a common cause can foster a sense of unity and cooperation. We as FAW would say we have done our share in giving back and contributing to the economy of the country”, he concluded by stating that they are not only giving back to the community but are also showing their gratitude to Basotho for always supporting them.