Sales success lies in field: Hyundai Motor's legendary saleswoman

By Lee Min-hyung

Kweon Gil-joo, a legendary car sales master at Hyundai Motor, has made it a daily routine to meet as many people as possible for future sales opportunities during her entire career.

She won the title as the carmaker’s sales master by achieving accumulated auto sales of 5,000 as of the end of February. Only a total of 21 salespeople, including her, have so far won the top glory from the automaker.

Kweon started her sales career in 2003 and has since sold some 230 vehicles each year on average.

Her achievement is noteworthy, as only two other women salespeople have gained the honor.

“I make it a rule to visit churches, police stations, business facilities and any other venues that I can and meet with potential customers every day,” she said during a telephone interview. “This simple strategy helped me build trust and enhance personal ties with thousands of customers, which I think was the key driving force behind my sales success.”

Her sales office is based in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. In the early days of her career, she even visited football fields to meet with members of regional morning football clubs.

“Many people ask me what is the secret for the high sales figure, but there is nothing special,” she said. “I just treated customers with a deep sense of sincerity, and it quickly went viral. Customers have kept introducing me to their friends and family members.”

The sales master also placed on a list of the carmaker’s “top class” winners. The honor is given to those who sell more than 120 vehicles annually. Starting from 2006, Kweon has maintained the title for 19 consecutive years.

Unlike other top salespeople, the sales master said she does not have any other specific sales goal for the time being.

“I just enjoy meeting with my customers, and for now, I do not set any sales target,” she said. “I want to express deep gratitude to some 10,000 family members who will ride in vehicles that I have sold. I think of them as family, not customers.”