Among the Chrysler Jeep Dodge (CJD) network, Crick’s in Mount Gravatt, Queensland, was named DOTY for the ‘Metro A’ area, Knox CJD in Ferntree Gully in Melbourne’s outer-east took out ‘Metro B’, while Dwyers CJD in Bairnsdale, Victoria, took out ‘Category C’ which covers regional areas.
Fiat Alfa Romeo DOTY awards went to Zagame in Richmond in inner-city Melbourne (Metro A), while the Caroline Springs Fiat-Alfa dealership, located west of Melbourne, won the Metro B award and Gulson’s in Fyshwick, Canberra, took out Category C.
Top effort: Crick’s Chrysler Jeep Dodge dealer principal Ryan Harding (right) accepts his award as the top-performing CJD dealership in 2015 from FCA Australia president and CEO Pat Dougherty.
A Fiat Professional national DOTY award was also presented to Welshpool Fiat Professional from Western Australia.
As with other DOTY awards, dealerships are assessed on various aspects of the business, including sales, parts and service, and customer care feedback.
FCA Australia president and CEO Pat Dougherty said the result was “almost too close to call” in each category and highlighted the efforts of the entire network during 2015 – a year in which all brands in the stable, with the exception of Fiat Professional, experienced a downturn in overall sales.
The company also took significant steps during the year to address its processes and staffing in relation to handling customer enquiries and complaints, following an investigation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
“While there can only be one winner in each category, in most areas this was a result almost too close to call, and I’d like to take a minute to thank every one of our dealerships for their dedication and hard work,” Mr Dougherty said.
“Your sales teams, service professionals and customer care staff are ambassadors for our company, and your commitment to your customers is the cornerstone of FCA Australia’s success.”
In accepting the award, Mount Gravatt CJD dealer principal Ryan Harding said the dealership simply focuses “on trying to make every customer drive away happy” rather than specifically setting out to win formal recognition via the DOTY program.
“The team behind me deserves the credit. From sales to service and parts, my team put in 100 per cent every single day, and they’re the real reason for this accolade,” he said.
Pat Dougherty and Bobby Zagame
Zagame Fiat Alfa Romeo dealer principal Bobby Zagame and Welshpool Fiat Professional dealer principal Paul McGovern also highlighted customer service as a key to their respective dealership’s success.
“Our focus is always on our customers, ensuring that owning one of our vehicles is as rewarding as it possibly can be,” Mr Zagame said. “And it’s something my team absolutely excels at. They genuinely care about our customers, and it shows.”
Mr McGovern added: “For a lot of our customers, these vehicles are their livelihood, and so they put a lot of trust in our sales and service team to get it right every time.
“And I’m proud to say that it’s a challenge my team rise to every single time.”
By Terry Martin
Pat Dougherty and Paul McGovern
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