FOUR of Victoria and Tasmania’s finest automotive dealerships have been recognised in the coveted 2025 Automotive Industry Awards, along with eight awards for a talented list of automotive apprentices.

The Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC), which established the awards in 2016, this week honoured the major dealership winners:

• Best Large Automotive Business: (Metropolitan): 3 Point Motors, Fairfield 
• Best Large Automotive Business: (Tasmania): Powell Motor Group, Derwent Park
• Employer of the Year : Patterson Cheney, Keysborough. 

The awards also recognised the 2025 Employee of the Year as Dylan Eagleton of Agpower, Lilydale.

Best Large Automotive Business Metropolitan – 3 Point Motors

The VACC said that dealerships also played an important part in fostering the next generation of automotive talent, with multiple apprenticeship winners working at dealerships across Victoria and Tasmania.

These included:

• First Year Apprentice: Zola Liang at Berwick Volkswagen
• Third Year Apprentice: Joseph Hanna at Airport Toyota, Essendon Fields
• Outstanding Apprentice: Aidan St Mart at Essendon Hyundai.

VACC CEO Peter Jones said the awards demonstrate dealer commitment to quality and customer service.

VACC CEO Peter Jones

“It is a huge accolade to be named the best in Victoria and Tasmania. These winners go above and beyond, and have proved themselves more than worthy of these titles,” Mr Jones said.

“The strong representation from dealerships among our winners and apprentice awards shows the important role they play in both serving customers and nurturing the next generation of automotive technicians.”

An independent judge evaluated entries based on business management, workplace practices, customer service and environmental impacts. To ensure only the finest of VACC and TACC’s 5000 members would be crowned, finalists were also randomly audited to ensure transparency and equity.Winners were announced at the 2025 Automotive Industry Awards, a formal evening that combined industry awards and apprentice graduation festivities. 

Attendees heard from master of ceremonies, Shane Jacobson, and a string of Australia’s best entertainers on Saturday 28 June at the Palladium at Crown, Melbourne.

Major Winners:

• Best Large Automotive Business: Metropolitan: 3 Point Motors, Fairfield
• Best Large Automotive Business: Tasmania: Powell Motor Group, Derwent Park TAS
• Employer of the Year: Patterson Cheney, Keysborough
• Employee of the Year: Dylan Eagleton, Agpower, Lilydale
• 1st Year Apprentice: Zola Liang at Berwick Volkswagen
• 3rd Year Apprentice: Joseph Hanna at Airport Toyota, Essendon Fields 
• Outstanding Apprentice: Aidan St Mart at Essendon Hyundai
• VACC Progressive Excellence: Andre Valdenbenito at Essendon Mazda
• VACC Apprentice of the Year: Sean Perry at Western Ford Melton
• VACC Apprentice Development Award: Dandenong Mitsubishi
• TACC Progressive Excellence: Logan Latham-Coombes at Co-Op Toyota, North Hobart
• TACC Apprentice of the Year: Isaac O’Byrne at Launceston Toyota, Launceston