Super-proud: Hobart Skoda dealer principal Justin Rooke receives the overall 2018 DOTY award from Skoda Australia director Michael Irmer.

SKODA Australia has declared its Hobart dealership the Volkswagen-owned Czech brand’s 2018 Dealer of the Year.

Hobart Skoda is part of the Tilford Auto Group – which includes Ford, Honda, Jaguar and Land Rover dealerships in its southern-capital stable – and is led by dealer principal and Tilford managing director Justin Rooke and general manager Shaun Heyward.

The Argyle Street dealership was also named Rural DOTY and the two major accolades mark its first major category awards since Skoda Australia set up a specific retail incentive program in 2014.

As Mr Rooke pointed out upon receiving the award at an exclusive event recently in Valencia, Spain, this is the first time a rural dealership has picked up the national title.

He also paid tribute to the Hobart team, saying: “Super-proud of you guys and the efforts you all put in and for how you have been recognised – it’s well deserved.”

Skoda Australia director Michael Irmer added: “In prevailing over dealers from the bigger capitals, Hobart Skoda has demonstrated that bigger is not always better. In fact, you could say that they have been simply clever.”

Last year’s national title was won by Rex Gorell Skoda in Geelong, Victoria, which has been a consistently strong performer over several years and, under the leadership of Brett Gorell, was again named Provincial DOTY in the latest 2018 awards.

The 2018 Metro DOTY went to Eastside Skoda in Nunawading in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, with general manager Michael Egan, who also presides over the long-standing dealership’s Mitsubishi and Isuzu Ute franchises, receiving the award.

The other major category winner was Brisbane City Skoda, which was named 2018 Financial Services Dealer of the Year. Dealer principal Craig Burgess was on hand to receive the award.

By Terry Martin

From left: Skoda Australia director Michael Irmer with Brisbane City Skoda DP Craig Burgess, Eastside Skoda GM Michael Egan, Rex Gorell Skoda DP Brett Gorell and Hobart Skoda DP Justin Rooke.