SKODA Australia has announced its annual Dealer of the Year (DOTY) awards with top honours going to Bayside Skoda, the Victorian dealer receiving National Dealer of the Year, Metro Dealer of the Year and a Skoda Excellence Award.

The event, hosted by Skoda Australia director Lucie Kuhn alongside the brand’s national head of product and marketing Kieran Merrigan, also saw Skoda Excellence awards go to Brisbane City Skoda, Sydney City Skoda, Eastside Skoda (Victoria), and John Oxley Skoda (New South Wales). Rex Gorell Skoda in Victoria was awarded Provincial Dealer of the Year, while Allan Mackay Skoda in New South Wales picked up Rural Dealer of the Year.

Skoda Australia brand director Lucie Kuhn announces the DOTY awards

Bayside Skoda and Kevin Dennis Skoda took additional wins for individual team members, with Bayside’s John Papadopoulos recognised as Skoda Sales Manager of the Year, while Dominic Paulo of Kevin Dennis Skoda received the Skoda Service Manager of the Year award.

“Skoda’s dealership network are our valued partners in the ongoing story of Skoda in Australia,” said Ms Kuhn.

L-R: Skoda regional manager Megan Moynihan, Bayside Skoda DP Neil Heveren, Skoda brand director Lucie Kuhn, Bayside Skoda sales manager John Papadopoulos, Skoda head of product and marketing Kieran Merrigan.

“We are encouraged by the opportunity presented by the combination of their passion and expertise, alongside the influx of European-engineered, attractively-priced new products coming in 2025.”

Fresh VFACTS figures for the end of March show Skoda sitting on 1100 sales year-to-date, down from 1553 for the same period in 2024. Much of the shortfall is found among the brand’s smaller models.

Orders for the big new Kodiaq are up (405 YTD vs 339), while the electric Enyaq is sitting on 55 sales YTD (no comparison available as it launched in September), and a second facelift will reach Australia later this year.

Skoda Excellence award Eastside Skoda (Victoria)

Ms Kuhn, a Czech native and proven leader in Skoda’s European markets, spoke with GoAutoNews Premium in March about her plans to turn the brand’s fortunes around in Australia.

Following the arrival of the new Kodiaq large SUV and facelifted Octavia RS last month, Skoda will launch the Elroq midsize electric SUV in June, the new Superb sedan and wagon in July, the facelifted Enyaq electric SUV in August, and the sporting Kodiaq RS in September.