Outer-Melbourne dealer named Mercedes DOTY

MERCEDES-BENZ Berwick in Melbourne’s outer-east has taken out the coveted Metropolitan Dealer of the Year award for both passenger cars and vans in 2013.

At a gala awards ceremony held in the Great Hall of the National Gallery of Victoria last week, Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific chief executive Horst von Sanden paid tribute to the Berwick retailer’s dealer principal Craig Howard, who “collectively with his staff, delivered a year of outstanding customer service across all key criteria”.

These criteria include results in sales and market share growth, customer satisfaction, aftersales and financial services.

Since collecting the awards, Mr Howard and his team have extended “a sincere thank you to our wonderful customers, staff and supporters over the past 12 months”.

Similarly, Coastal Automotive Centre in Bunbury, Western Australia, was named Mercedes’ 2013 Provincial/Rural DOTY for both passenger cars and vans.

Under the leadership of dealer principal Steve Beauglehole, Coastal Automotive was recognised as “a true benchmark dealership in terms of facilities, excellent customer service and performance standards throughout 2013”.

“The efforts of all our dealer staff were exemplary throughout the year, and while we are satisfied by our performance across the board, we are all driven to exceed our customers’ expectations in 2014,” Mr von Sanden said.

The light commercial awards were presented by Mercedes-Benz Vans managing director Diane Tarr.

Last year’s top metro passenger cars dealer for the German luxury brand was Mercedes-Benz Hornsby in Sydney – Berwick was runner-up – and the top provincial/rural dealer was Carlin & Gazzard of Mount Gambier.

Last year’s light commercial awards went to 3 Point Motors in Melbourne (metro) and Poyser Motors in Bendigo (provincial/rural).

As in previous years, Mercedes-Benz also presented awards to dealership staff across a variety of categories such as new-vehicle sales, service and parts, pre-owned, marketing and finance.