WIPPELLS Autos in Toowoomba, Queensland, has become the only Mazda dealership to have won a Master Dealer Excellence Award every year since the retail program was initiated in 1994.

The Japanese company this week announced its top-performing Australian retailers for 2016, which sees 15 dealers – two fewer than last year and all bar two based along the eastern seaboard – achieve the coveted ‘Master Dealer’ status in the 23rd running of the annual incentive scheme.

As in previous years, Mazda’s Master Dealer program is divided into groups based on sales volume and business targets across the national network, with the award based on key performance index (KPI) data across various aspects including customer satisfaction, business performance, facilities and “compliance with Mazda Australia business standards”.

Wippells was one of three dealers in Queensland to make the grade in 2016, while five dealers each in New South Wales and Victoria, and two in South Australia, also secured a Master Dealer award.

As was the case last year, dealers from Western Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and Northern Territory did not feature in the awards.

As well as Wippells, the Queensland winners were Key Motors in Townsville and Mareeba Mazda near Cairns.

A shock omission was Grand Prix Mazda in Brisbane, which up until last year was alongside Wippells as the equal-longest-running Mazda Master Dealer in Australia.

From New South Wales the standout dealers were Hornsby Mazda (Waitara), John Newell Mazda (Alexandria), Penrith Mazda (Jamisontown), Sutherland Mazda (Kirrawee) and Nowra Mazda.

Victoria’s finest included Max Kirwan Mazda (Preston), Ringwood Mazda, Graeme Powell Mazda (Seaford), Ballarat Mazda and Bendigo Mazda, while South Australia’s top dealers were again City Mazda (Hindmarsh) and Paradise Motors Mazda (Paradise).

“Receiving ‘Master’ recognition is something that everyone within the Mazda network aspires to achieve,” said Mazda Australia sales director Vinesh Bhindi.

“Our award recipients are the best of the best and we are thrilled to honour them.

“After a very successful year in 2016, it is timely to acknowledge the hard work and dedication to not only Mazda, but to their dealership and their team.”

By Terry Martin