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VOLKSWAGEN Group Australia (VGA) has named Leichhardt Volkswagen in Sydney’s inner-west as the German brand’s 2016 National Dealer of the Year.

The company has also announced that Essendon Skoda in Melbourne’s north-western suburbs achieved the highest level at the Czech brand for which VGA is responsible, winning the 2016 National DOTY award.

Both Leichhardt Volkswagen – previously known as Five Dock Volkswagen – and Essendon Skoda also took out the Metropolitan DOTY award for their respective brands, under the leadership of dealer principals Michael Della Franca (Leichhardt) and Francis Mohammed (Essendon).

Among other major category award winners for Volkswagen, Jackson Motor Company in Hobart added to its large collection of Provincial DOTY titles – dealer principal Kristy Stewart accepted the award – and Moss Vale Volkswagen in the New South Wales southern highlands was named Rural DOTY, with dealer principal Ross Taylor on hand to receive the gong.

Top trophy: Five Dock/Leichhardt Volkswagen dealer principal Michael Della Franca with the 2016 DOTY award, alongside Volkswagen Group Australia managing director Michael Bartsch (left) and VGA network development general manager David Stone.

VGA senior management presented the Volkswagen awards at an exclusive event in Fiji recently, where its ‘Premium Dealers’ incentive program recognised 10 retailers as “the elite” among the brand’s network of 104 outlets nationwide.

As well as the three major category winners listed above, these were: Sydney City Volkswagen, Waverley Volkswagen, Brighton Volkswagen, Osborne Park Volkswagen, Rex Gorell Volkswagen, Bill Buckle Volkswagen and Alto Volkswagen.

“Each of our 10 premium dealers embody the practices that will continue to carry Volkswagen beyond the status of a mere mainstream brand,” said VGA managing director Michael Bartsch.

“Aside from their obvious sales success, they each grasp the essential truth that our customers are our most effective advocates.”

Mr Bartsch highlighted different aspects of each winning Volkswagen dealership that stood them apart, including Leichhardt Volkswagen’s recent move to a flagship showroom on Parramatta Road, Jackson’s employment of VW’s Apprentice of the Year, and Moss Vale’s contributions to Bowral and District Hospital, which he said sees them not only engage with the local community but become “pillars of it”.

Jackson Motor Company’s Kristy Stewart with the Provincial DOTY award, with Volkswagen Group Australia managing director Michael Bartsch (right) and VGA network development general manager David Stone

“All local businesspeople could profit by their collective example,” he added.

Moss Vale Motor Group has set up a ‘Wheels for Life’ charity where $25 from each new car sold through the group is donated to the Bowral Hospital to help purchase medical equipment, with more than $50,000 raised to date.

A separate presentation event was held for Skoda, which has been running an awards program since 2014.

In addition to Essendon Skoda’s national and metro awards, Rex Gorell Skoda in Geelong was named 2016 Provincial DOTY (under dealer principal Brett Gorell) and Brooks Skoda in Wodonga was awarded 2016 Rural DOTY, with DP Cameron Brooks at the helm.

By Terry Martin

Moss Vale Volkswagen’s Ross Taylor with the Rural DOTY award, alongside (from left) Volkswagen Group Australia commercial vehicles director Carlos Santos, VGA network development general manager David Stone, VGA general manager of passenger vehicle sales Ryan Davies and VGA managing director Michael Bartsch

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