(SEOUL) MAY 2009 – Kia Motors Corporation’s Malaysian distributor, Naza Kia, has been accorded recognition for their efforts in network development for 2009, in an awards ceremony held at Kia Motor’s Asia & Pacific Distributors Convention in Seoul, South Korea.
With 2,732 dealers in 56 countries nationwide participating, Naza Kia was selected as the best in the Asia-Pacific region, based on the number of outlets developed and improved, to receive this accolade.
Welcoming the announcement of the 2009 Asia & Pacific ‘Outstanding Dealer Development Award’, Naza Group’s Executive Chairman & CEO, SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin commented, “Our newly set up network development team at Naza Kia can be very proud that Kia Motors has awarded us this prestigious recognition. Kia’s network development strategy is focusing on Corporate Identity, Sales and Service Processes and Parts, to develop better customer service in all areas and uniformity of service nationwide amongst our branches and dealers. This award is a clear reward for our determination to establish our network as one of the key components of our efforts to increase customer satisfaction in sales and after sales.”
Dealers and Branches in the Kia network are evaluated periodically based on about 200 questions, weighted to result in a maximum of 1000 points. The results determine if an outlet is graded from A to E. A, B and C outlets are recognised and rewarded, whereas strict efforts are put in place to either develop D and E outlets or phase them out of the system. Fifteen dealers in Malaysia scored sufficient points to be accorded ‘A’ which Kia Motors recognises as being ‘Platinum’ dealers.
“The Kia network is the most important point in the process, for Kia,” explained Nasarudin. “Whatever we're doing for the Brand, Network and Products is very important for our customers in the long run. More processes and requirements will be put in place for 2009 and beyond so that Naza Kia can continuously improve its levels of customer satisfaction. Our Vision is for the entire network to be upgraded to ‘Platinum’ standards as a minimum requirement by 2010."
As of April 2009, there has been further improvement and 24 of the 46 independent Naza Kia dealers have attained ‘A’ grades, 18 are ‘B’ grade, 2 in ‘C’ and ‘D’ respectively with none being graded ‘E’.
Kia Motors network team scrutinised every entry and rated its performance, supported by uploaded documents for every outlet, complete with photographic 'before and after' evidence.