Kia’s top dealer focuses on close acquaintances for record sales

Jeong Tae-sam, a director at Kia’s sales branch office in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, poses with the automaker’s EV9 SUV, in this file photo. Courtesy of Kia

By Lee Min-hyung

Jeong Tae-sam, a director at Kia’s sales branch office in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, advises young aspiring salespeople to maintain an intimate relationship with close acquaintances, as it serves as a stepping stone for their sustainable growth in the industry.

Jeong has made headlines after becoming the automaker’s fourth figure to win a title as a top-salesman with accumulated sales of more than 6,000 vehicles. Jeong was given a title of “Great Master” from the carmaker for his outstanding sales record.

“Most people ask me what drove me to achieve the outcome, but my answer is always the same. You need to focus on your close acquaintances and try to maintain good relations with them for a long period of time,” Jeong said during a telephone interview, Sunday. “They will be of greater help than you expected, as time passes by.”

He joined the company in 1992 and has sold more than 6,000 vehicles until the end of May. This is equivalent of annual average sales of around 190 cars. In 2023, he rose to become the firm’s top salesman for the first time. Jeong placed his name on a list of Kia’s top 10 salespeople 9 times for the past decade.

“It may sound cliché, but there are no other specific secrets for me to achieve this robust sales record for the past few decades,” he said.

He also makes it a rule not to speak good or ill of others behind their backs.

“I never talk about anyone behind their backs,” Jeong said. “If you do so, you may end up being mired in unwanted rumors, which does not leave a good impression with others.”

Jeong’s achievement means a lot to aspiring salespeople, as he won the title not in the capital city or its surrounding areas. Jeonju is the largest city of North Jeolla Province, but its population falls far short of Seoul and its surrounding cities.

“I also enjoy hanging out with people by joining diverse small-group meetings,” he said. “For instance, I sometimes meet people in private wine gatherings. If I maintain a good relationship with them, they recommend me to others. You need to maintain good ties with anyone you meet. This was the key driving force for my sales.”

Kia grants the Great Master title to those whose accumulated sales reach 5,000 vehicles.