Tannie Trudy Ford shines at MWOTY awards

A big accolade has been bestowed on Ritchie Ford stalwart, Trudy Pitout.

Earlier this year Trudy was named a finalist in the prestigious Motoring Woman of the Year awards 2021 (MWOTY), a national initiative which is powered by the Motor Finance Corporation (MFC), a division of Nedbank.

The winners in the various categories were announced on 11 November at a formal event held in Kempton Park at the Le Chateau Conference Centre. Trudy achieved third place in the MWOTY category, having been recognised for her many years of dedication to the motoring industry and her clients.

Speaking on behalf of Ritchie Auto, general manager Paul Mannix said he’s had the privilege of working with Trudy for many years, and during that time came to appreciate her professionalism and dedication.

‘Over the three decades she’s been selling cars in Zululand, she always gave her clients the best possible service and still does to this day.
‘Trudy is really an asset for the Ford brand and the dealership,’ Mannix said.

Dudley Barrett, New Car Sales Manager at Ritchie Ford in Richards Bay where Trudy works, said he and his team is very proud of her and congratulated her on this commendable achievement.

‘It takes a very special person to be so consistent and dedicated in the automotive sales industry, and Trudy has always been, and still is, an inspiration to us all,’ Barrett said.

Trudy’s journey in car sales began 38 years ago when she joined East Vaal Ford’s service department.

Her time spent in aftersales, however, was brief because the dealership’s owner liked her gutsy attitude and moved her over to the sales department.

Besides cars, West Vaal Ford also sold caravans, and Trudy’s first sales assignment was to move as many caravans as possible, a task she tackled with zest and excelled in.

When she was later asked to sell Ford tractors to the farmers in their area, she again proved her sales capabilities without knowing much about farm implements. She sold so many tractors that her employers rewarded her with a trip to the USA.

After her tractor success, Trudy started selling passenger cars, but still only 17 years old and without a licence, she could not get her own demonstrator vehicle.

In her first month as Ford sales lady, she sold a whopping 16 Escorts.

‘You must love people and the brand,’ says Trudy, ‘and after 38 years with Ford, 28 of those with Ritchie, it’s still the only brand for me.’