HINO Motor Sales Australia has announced the winners of its 2016 Dealer of the Year Awards, with Melbourne’s Prestige Hino taking the Metropolitan DOTY title and Newcastle Hino crowned Regional DOTY.

For Prestige Hino, which is based at Dandenong South in Melbourne’s outer south-east, the award was a back-to-back win and its third in total – the first one was achieved in 2007 – while Newcastle Hino also now has three major awards on display at its Beresfield dealership, all of them secured over the past four years.

Both dealerships are part of the Automotive Holdings Group (AHG) stable.

Hino’s retail incentive program was revised last year to include a customer satisfaction category for the first time, with CMI Hino in Adelaide (Sumo Class), Vanderfield Hino in Toowoomba (Middle Class) and Barry Maney Hino in Mount Gambier (Welter Class) each picking up an award.

Prestige Hino dealer principal Angelo Valerio and no fewer than 12 employees and their partners – said to be the biggest-ever contingent from a single dealership – attended at the awards presentation ceremony in Sydney recently, where the team picked up an armful of trophies in addition to Metro DOTY including the Financial Services Award, Sales Excellence (Metro) Award and third place in the Parts Excellence (Metro) category.

“We are honoured and delighted to win all three awards for the second year in a row – every single member of our team continues to go above and beyond to deliver exceptional results for our customers, the dealership and Hino, and this award recognises their hard work,” Mr Valerio said.

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While the 2015 win was sweet considering it was Mr Valerio’s first full year of running the dealership, he described the follow-up victory as “humbling and true testament to the 50-plus wonderful people that work here”.

“They strive for perfection every day, and because of their passion and commitment we win these awards,” he said.

“Yes, things do go wrong. But we own our mistakes and most importantly learn from them. We’re not perfect, but I can say after winning back-to-back awards, we are growing stronger and better every year.”

As well as Regional DOTY, Newcastle Hino took silver in the Parts Excellence (Regional) category and bronze for Service Excellence (Regional).

“Over the last few years we have focused on improving every aspect of our dealership,” said dealer principal Kevin Purcell. “To win this award underlines the dedication and talent of the Newcastle Hino team and the loyalty of our customers.”

Other Metro category award winners were: Sales Excellence – Adtrans Hino (silver), CMI Hino Melbourne (bronze); Parts Excellence – Sci-Fleet Hino Brisbane (gold), CMI Hino Adelaide (silver); Service Excellence – Sci-Fleet Hino Brisbane (gold), Adtrans Hino (silver), CMI Hino Adelaide (bronze).

Regional award winners also included: Sales Excellence – Illawarra Hino (gold), Hino Geelong (silver), Jacob Hino (bronze); Parts Excellence – Sci-Fleet Hino Nerang (gold), Jacob Hino (bronze); Service Excellence – Jacob Hino (gold), Coffs Harbour Hino (silver).

CMI Hino Melbourne was also recognised for 25 years of service to the Toyota-owned truck brand, making it one of the longest-serving Hino dealerships in Australia.

Hino Motor Sales Australia chairman and CEO Steve Lotter said: “Despite challenges in 2016, our dealers continued to demonstrate their commitment to customers and the Hino brand – we are confident that 2017 will be another exciting and rewarding year for Hino dealers.”

Hino posted 4405 sales last year, down slightly (-0.9 per cent) on 2015, but maintained its position as the second-biggest commercial vehicle brand in Australia. Isuzu was the clear market leader with 8307 sales, up 11.6 per cent over the same period.

Among the guests at the awards presentation ceremony was Hino Motors Limited senior managing officer in charge of overseas operations, Ichiro Hisada.

By Terry Martin