Company Announcement - The fifth annual People’s Wheels Survey is officially in full swing, with online polls for the popular vote and the ownership survey open until August 28 at www.peopleswheels.co.za With R25 000 up for grabs, all motorists are encouraged to cast their votes for their favourite cars in 22 categories. The range spans budget city runabouts, bakkies, luxurious SUVs, rugged 4x4s and the most exotic sports cars. Results of the surveys will be announced in November at a conference and awards ceremony, sponsored by Standard Bank, to be held at the Sandton Convention Centre – marking a significant change of gear for the increasingly popular event.

“The Standard Bank People’s Wheels Conference and Awards is a great opportunity for people to vote in one of the most compelling research surveys in the country,” says Nicholas Nkosi, Head of Vehicle and Asset Finance – Retail Banking, at Standard Bank. “By taking part, voters are essentially helping the industry to benchmark customer experience.”

The People’s Wheels poll and the ownership survey provide a unique opportunity for public expression of opinions and feelings about the vehicles that make up the country’s auto market. Whether rating the cars to which they aspire – or the ones they drive – ordinary South Africans have the chance to make their voices heard. In the process, they put themselves in line to win a R25 000 cash prize.  
“We have received great insight from voters in the previous year that has helped us, as industry experts in the banking sector, to know what our customers prefer. This year should present even more competition for the industry considering the number of vehicles that have entered the market since last year’s survey,” says Mr Nkosi.

In 2014, more than 60 000 votes were cast in the People’s Wheel poll with Ford’s locally produced Ranger – which has subsequently become the country’s best-selling vehicle – attracting the most in any category to be honoured as the People’s Choice. So what’s going to win this year? Will it be another model that becomes a best seller? The winners will be unveiled at the People’s Wheels Awards ceremony on November 13, proudly brought to you by Standard Bank in partnership with the Future Group and the Sunday Times.