Hat-trick of gongs for top dealer
Continental Cars Volkswagen took out the top award at the marque’s recent Dealer of Year awards for its “consistent delivery of exceptional service and unwavering commitment to sales performance, business culture and team engagement”.
The Auckland dealership scooped the overall dealer of the year title for 2023 as well as topping the commercial dealer and passenger customer experience categories.
Volkswagen New Zealand gathered members from across its dealer network at Bracu Estate, Auckland, recently to look at plans for the year ahead and to celebrate the annual awards.
Staff attended from every aspect of dealerships, including parts, service, passenger sales, commercial sales and marketing.
Judging for the awards was based on outstanding performance across key metrics such as customer satisfaction, sales volume, dealership operations, and innovation.
Kevin Richards, general manager of Volkswagen Commercial, says: “We are thrilled to recognise Continental Cars Volkswagen as our ultimate dealer of the year in 2023.
“This achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of the team led by Peter Metcalfe. I hope the example that this team has set will serve as motivation for all of us to continue raising the bar.”
Metcalfe, dealer principal at Continental Cars, adds the business looks forward to building on its win and enhancing its reputation as a trusted destination for all things Volkswagen.
Volkswagen Northland was another big winner and took out the awards for passenger sales department, commercial sales department and passenger marketing.
Meanwhile, W.R. Phillips in New Plymouth came away from the prizegiving with two gongs after claiming the passenger and commercial customer experience titles.
Chanelle McDonald, general manager of Volkswagen Passenger, adds: “Our dealer network teams ultimately deliver the Volkswagen experience to our customers every day so it is a privilege to recognise their efforts and the passion they have for the Volkswagen brand.”
Career highlight
The marque notes one of its notable annual prizes is Jemima’s Award, where an individual, team, or dealership is recognised for going above and beyond for its local community.
The 2023 winner was Miles Continental, Christchurch, for its partnership with Ranui House. The dealership drove significant donations for Ranui House to support the charity’s work in providing accommodation for patients and their families while they are going through treatment for cancer.
Mark Lincoln, Miles Group’s marketing manager, says winning the Jemima's Award is an “absolute highlight of my career”.
“To work in automotive marketing but also have the support and full encouragement of the Miles Group, CEOs like Mark Milligan and Nico Swanepoel, and brands like Volkswagen New Zealand to use our powers for good and tangibly give back to our community is a real privilege,” he posted on LinkedIn.
“We're immensely proud to have been handed this award through Miles Continental Volkswagen and the work we've done for Bone Marrow Cancer Trust | Ranui House.
“We will take good care of this important award over the next 12 months before returning it to Volkswagen for next year's awards.”
The award is named after Jemima Gazley, daughter of Wellington car dealer Oliver Gazley, who launched a fundraising campaign – www.jemimaswish.com – that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for brain cancer research before she passed away aged 15.
Award winners
Overall Dealer of the Year for 2023: Continental Cars Volkswagen, Auckland
Passenger Dealer of the Year: W.R. Phillips, New Plymouth
Commercial Dealer of the Year: Continental Cars Volkswagen, Auckland
Passenger Sales Department of the Year: Volkswagen Northland
Commercial Sales Department of the Year: Volkswagen Northland
Passenger Customer Experience Award: Continental Cars Volkswagen, Auckland
Commercial Customer Experience Award: W.R. Phillips, New Plymouth
Passenger Marketing Award: Volkswagen Northland
Commercial Marketing Award: Tristram European, Auckland
Jemima's Award (for local community contribution): Miles Continental, Christchurch
Passenger Service Department of the Year: Ebbett Pukekohe
Commercial Service Department of the Year: Ebbett Volkswagen, Hamilton
Parts Department of the Year: Giltrap Volkswagen, Auckland
