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| Subaru Import Polska Managing Director Witold Rogalski |
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As Subaru Import Polska marks its 10th year in the Polish market, Managing Director Witold Rogalski is clearly proud of his company’s achievements and of the huge progress made by the country’s automobile industry, especially in the field of safety.
"Poland has more deaths on the freeways than Germany, even though it has more cars, more people and more miles traveled per year. All Subarus come with four-wheel drive and any car that we sell in the winter comes with snow tires," says Rogalski.
During his 10 years at the helm of Subaru Import Polska, Rogalski pioneered many industry firsts. In 2000, he established a driving academy, SJS, whose primary aim was to teach Polish drivers safe driving habits.
"Now other companies have copied this model and other schools have been developed. It is encouraging that even a small company can initiate trends and do something new," he says
Subaru Import Polska has begun working with the Polish company, Keratronik, to produce systems to track cars via satellite. The automatic system, which has been a standard feature on all Subarus in Poland as of last year, can alert rescue teams about an accident and also help trace a stolen vehicle.
"We are the first company in Europe to offer this technology as standard. We are a company that opens new doors and other auto companies have followed our lead," boasts Rogaslki.
The company’s newest innovation is a feature comparison tool on its Web site, which allows customers to compare features, options and prices from a variety of manufacturers.
"This is in line with our policy of open communication with customers. We want to fulfill a client’s needs with our products and now the customer is able to analyze that for himself," he says.
"If we are working in a certain industry, we should try to influence that industry in a positive way. We are following the Japanese philosophy that nurtures long-term links with our employees, partners, dealers and customers," he adds.
After Poland joined the European Union in 2004, the import duty for cars was reduced from 35 percent to 10 percent, making Subaru’s cars more accessible to Polish drivers. In fact, sales reached around 2,000 units a year from 157 units during its first year.
www.subaru.pl
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