AKASH SOOKLALL

I have been in the Motor Industry for over 20 years, I started from the bottom as an apprentice and qualified into a Red Seal Motor Mechanic. As a result of me being a hard worker, a dedicated staff member able to work under pressure and as a team player. I always stepped up to the plate when needed, I am a leader rather than a follower, I am ambitious and have the ability to put policy and procedures into place that will benefit the department and the company as a whole. I have a Fix it right first time policy, customer service and satisfaction is a priority for me. Due to the above skills that I have, I was headhunted by Bidvest McCarthy Toyota and then by Gearmax SA. 

With Bidvest McCarthy Toyota I achieved 1st place Best CE 2014-2015 for Service Department.  2nd place in the country Extended Warranty and Extended Service plan sales. 3rd in the country "Best of the Best McCarthy Toyota Challenge". In the time that I spent at Hyundai as the Service Manager I took the CSI from lower 80% to the higher 90%-97%. I reached my monthly target averaging between 105%-110% . I achieved 96% for my Warranty Audit and 96% for my OHS Audit. At Bidvest McCarthy Toyota I was the 2 IC  to the Dealer Principal with regards to the OHS, I was the Health and Safety officer for the Dealership.   

I am very passionate about my job, my responsibility and duties that I have to carry out. I thrive on reaching my goals, I am a Service Manager who believes strongly in leading by example. My strengths, I enjoy working with people and find satisfaction in completing difficult tasks. I am driven by targets and believe in making my department and dealership profitable as possible, but also taking into account my staff , in having the right empathy towards them.   

Branch Manager  Driveline SA    Current 

Service Manager  Hyundai Umhlanga   01/02/2024 - 15/10/2024   End of Contract 

Branch Manager   Gearpro (PTY) LTD   01/11/2019 - 31/01/2024   Company Closed down

Branch Manager   Gearmax  SA / Gearmax Dbn  06/12/2016 - 31/10/2019  Sold to Gearpro

Service Manager  McCarthy Toyota      31/07/2013 - 9/06/2016 Head Hunter By Gearmax 

Workshop Foremen  McCarthy Toyota  23/07/2012 - 31/07/2013  Promoted to Service Manager

Workshop Foremen   Hyundai Springfield Park  10/06/2010 - 19/06/2012  Head Hunter By McCarthy Toyota 

Technician    Hyundai Umhlanga   01/07/2006 - 9/06/2011 Promoted to Foremen

Apprentice    Renault                       01/03/2002 - 01/07/2006  Joined Hyundai Umhlanga      

Grade 12   Clairwood Technical High School     Completed   1994

NTC 3        Cato Manor Technical Collage           Completed   1995

NTC 4        Cato Manor Technical Collage           Completed    1996

Trade Test   Merseta Cats training Centre           Completed   2010