Sales managers and representatives of Fiat, Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), have been charged to seek out new opportunities on the wake of economic downturn in Ghana and Africa to grow the Group’s brands.

"Through crisis there is an opportunity to grow," Salvatore Leotta, FCA Sales Area Manager told key sales persons who converged at Tanink Headquarters at Tema Community 12, venue for the historic two-day commercial training course.

Out of the ashes of World War came the need for a light weight, all-terrain utility vehicle -the Jeep- produced to assist US soldiers conquer their enemies.  And they conquered. Since then, the Jeep SUVs have become the legendary household names in the automobile industry, Leotta reminded the participants from Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal.

He also cited the merger between Chrysler and Fiat in 2009, at a time when Chrysler had announced bankruptcy.

The Chrysler crisis triggered the merger and now the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has been adjudged one of the world’s biggest automobile company.

"It is not an easy period. I know there is economic crisis in Ghana and everywhere in the world but I strongly believe it is during this crisis period that we can grow," Leotta challenged the participants.

He said it was the first time such a training course had been organised in the West African Sub-region so that the sales representatives, who are the faces of the various brands, would be equipped with the necessary information that will benefit the end user.

"Training and sales behavior are fundamental in this type of business; our duty is to give you cars but at the end of the day, it is the sales representatives who put their faces behind those cars.

"The reason why we are here is to develop together and make us the best in what we do," he pointed out.

The CEO Tanink Ghana, Roger Klogo in an interview with Myjoyonline.com would not take all the credit for the historic training course being organised in Ghana and by his company.

He said even though Tanink has created a standard worthy of notice, the political stability and Ebola-free status chiefly contributed to the choice of Ghana as hosts of the course.

Tanink Ghana who are the exclusive franchisee of American luxury and utility cars in Ghana, only recently outdoored the latest models of a number of high-end vehicles – the Dodge Durango, Dodge RAM, Chrysler 300C, Jeep Grand Cherokee to name just a few.

Mr Klogo praised the synergy between Fiat and Chrysler vehicles adding the commercial training, the first to be held outside Europe and America is to "update knowledge of commercial and sales representatives" and to "fight competition and liaise better."

He said the training is also to impact sales of Jeep, Fiat and Chrysler vehicles especially in Africa.

On the general purchase behaviors of automobile lovers, Mr. Klogo would rather have people buy brand new vehicles which tend to be cost effective and safer compared to second-hand vehicles.

Steven Klogo, Director of Public Affairs of Tanink said the company is looking to open brand new showrooms in Labone and Kanda to cater for customers’ needs in Accra.

"We are investing heavily to make us more accessible to our customers," he indicated, adding "as we continue to grow our customers can only expect the same level of quality and attention to detail Tanink is known for. 

Indigenous company, Tanink Ghana, is the official dealer of Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Iveco vehicles in Ghana.

It added top range automobile brands like Jeep, Chrysler and Dodge after acquiring the franchise last year.

Managers believe the company is living up to its aspiration of Setting Standards.