The awards recognise outstanding and high-achieving members of its dealer network and were celebrated at a ceremony recently in Sydney.

Subaru Australia managing director Blair Read presented the award to Bunbury Subaru dealer principal Ryan Krikke.

Bunbury Subaru dealer principal Ryan Krikke (right) receives the DOTY award from Subaru Australia managing director Blair Read.

It was the second win for the WA dealership on the night, with Bunbury Subaru also taking out the Western Region Retailer of the Year award.

The dealership also won the previous West Australian Retailer of the Year, awarded for 2019 after COVID-19 caused cancellation of the 2020 ceremony.

In the last Subaru awards for the 2019 year, the National Retailer of the Year was Traralgon Subaru.

Mr Read said: “These awards recognise consistent high performance across the entire dealership.

“That includes the vital parameters of customer service, sales, service and parts and accessories.

“Ryan and his team at Bunbury Subaru have done an exceptional job in what has arguably been one of the most challenging periods for any business.

“They have proven that consistent high quality across every aspect of the business is the key to both great customer service and sales success.”

Mr Krikke said: “To collect this award on behalf of our team is very humbling and it’s a true testament to their belief in the brand and their passion toward delivering the best customer experience at every touch point.

“We are a family-owned and run business with some really long-standing members, though they are like family.”

The Regional Retailers of the Year were also announced recognising the top performers from the Subaru Retailer Network across the country.

Regional winners were:

• Queensland, Northern Region: Cassell Subaru, Warwick
• Queensland, Brisbane Region: Von Bibra Subaru, Southport
• New South Wales, Eastern Region: Taree Subaru
• New South Wales, Sydney Region: McGrath Subaru, Liverpool
• Victoria, Southern Region: Subaru Geelong
• Victoria, Melbourne Region: Subaru Doncaster
• Tasmania: Buckby Subaru, Launceston
• South Australia, Central Regional: Eblen Subaru, Reynella

Repeat winners are Bunbury Subaru (previously won Western Region Regional Retailer of the Year), McGrath Subaru Liverpool (previously won Sydney Regional Retailer of the Year), and Subaru Docklands which has previously won Melbourne Retailer of the Year.

Eblen Subaru was also the inaugural Subaru Retailer of the Year award for 2005, announced in 2006.

Subaru’s dealer network had a rewarding 2021 year despite the ongoing effects of COVID-19 and weakened stock supply attributed to production issues at the factory and the cessation of some models.

In 2021, Subaru had reduced stock as it ran out its BRZ and WRX sportscars ahead of the new model launches, and the end of the Australian deliveries for Liberty and Levorg.

The brand had a strong 17.5 per cent sales growth in 2021 compared with 2020, achieving 37,015 sales, up from the previous year’s 31,501 units.

Subaru’s top-selling model was again the Forester but the new Outback had a strong sales impact, up 117.3 per cent compared to the previous year with the older generation model. It sold 10,490 Outbacks in 2021 (up from 4828 in 2020) to almost catch the Forester’s 11,810 sales.

Best in the west: Having already taken top western region honours, Bunbury Subaru DP Ryan Krikke (right) receives the DOTY award from Subaru Australia MD Blair Read.

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