Dealer principal Sebastian Parseghian later admitted to shedding tears of joy at reaching the highest point in the market-leading Japanese brand’s retail incentive program, having previously led the team to a string of Rural DOTY awards and President’s Awards for Excellence.
As well as securing the coveted national award, back-to-back Southern Region Rural DOTY awards and its seventh successive President’s Award, the Swan Hill dealership took out several awards in areas such as business management, financial services, sales and service, and customer relations.
Over the moon: Swan Hill Toyota’s Sebastian Parseghian (centre) and Rebecca Parseghian with (from left) Toyota Australia southern region manager Michael Sistanis, Toyota Australia chairman Max Yasuda and Toyota Australia president Dave Buttner
Mr Parseghian said the awards pointed to the fact that the family-run dealership, which includes Rebecca Parseghian as general manager and also operates at nearby Kerang, has satisfied customers and adheres to the philosophy that “the relationship is more important than the sale”.
“Thank you to all our team and customers,” Mr Parseghian said after receiving the awards at a presentation ceremony for southern region dealers in Melbourne. “We are over the moon. This morning I am in tears – happy ones.”
Among other awards for the southern region, Le Mans Toyota in Deer Park was named Metro DOTY and two other rural/regional dealerships – Jacob Toyota in Wodonga and Taylor Toyota in Hamilton – joined Swan Hill in taking out a President’s Award for Excellence.
In the central region, Adelaide Hills Toyota in Mount Barker was named Metro DOTY and Peter Kittle Toyota in Port Lincoln took out the Rural DOTY award, with both dealerships – and CMI Toyota in Adelaide – also picking up a President’s Award.
At the eastern region office, Newcastle Toyota was awarded Metro DOTY, while Lean and Bennett Toyota in Lithgow was named Rural DOTY and picked up a President’s Award in the process. Maitland Toyota also won a President’s Award.
In Toyota’s northern region, Martin Jonkers Motors in Morayfield, north of Brisbane, was named Metro DOTY, and Lockyer Valley Toyota in Gatton scored a double with the Rural DOTY title and a President’s Award.
Central region metro award (from left) Toyota Australia executive director sales and marketing Tony Cramb, Adelaide Hills Toyota DP Tom Gilbert, Adelaide Hills Toyota marketing and guest services manager Sally Gilbert, Toyota senior divisional manager (southern and central) Evan Tsirogiannis, Toyota central region manager Phil Iannunzio
Toyota WA’s award winners included Metro DOTY Big Rock Toyota in Perth’s northern suburbs (Balcatta) and Rural DOTY Busselton Toyota in the state’s south-west. Both dealerships also received the President’s Award.
As with other automotive retail incentive programs, Toyota’s DOTY awards aim to recognise consistent and high-level performance across all areas of the dealership’s business, including customer service.
According to the company, the President’s Award for Excellence “recognises the dealerships that continue to go above and beyond at each guest touchpoint and represent the best of the best”.
By Terry Martin
Central region rural award (from left) Toyota Australia executive director sales and marketing Tony Cramb, Peter Kittle Toyota DP Chris Szigeti, Peter Kittle Toyota guest experience manager Janet Szigeti, Toyota senior divisional manager (southern and central) Evan Tsirogiannis, Toyota central region manager Phil Iannunzio
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