VOLVO Cars South Yarra has won the coveted major metro retailer of the year for the fifth year in succession as the Swedish brand celebrates retailers that went above and beyond in what was a record sales year for its Australian market.

Notching up its third consecutive metro retailer of the year gong was Volvo Cars Penrith, while Volvo Cars Central West was named rural retailer of the year.

With an increasingly popular range of passenger cars gaining greater market share – driven by compelling products and a committed dealership body – Volvo looks to have even better prospects ahead as it embarks on a full transition to electric cars over the next few years.

Speaking at the annual dealer awards function, Volvo Cars Australia managing director Stephen Connor paid tribute to “the brilliant efforts of our retail network who in 2022 played a massive part in delivering the best ever sales result for Volvo Cars in Australia”.

On receiving Volvo Cars South Yarra’s award, dealer principal Sue Alford praised her colleagues for being “truly customer focused” and “so deserving of winning this major metro retailer of the year award for the fifth time in a row”.

“Their focus and determination is truly inspirational. I could not be prouder of this remarkable team.”

Mr Connor described the broader dealer network as living and breathing the Volvo brand, and led by entrepreneurs who represent the company every day in their communities; knowing their customers as well as the cars.

“They are all, without exception, fantastic partners,” he said.

Volvo’s judges found deciding the finalists for 2022 Pinnacle Awards of Excellence was the closest it has been in years, which they said strongly suggests the Volvo network, and all of its staff, are getting better at what they do.

“Customer experience and employee experience played a huge role in an extremely tight point-scoring process across all categories which is perhaps unsurprising – the two go hand in hand,” said Mr Connor.

“Keeping and developing great staff, and making work the best place it can be, is critical to delivering great customer experiences – the bedrock of business success. Business leaders know they are only ever as good as their teams,” he added.

The awards were announced by Stephen Connor and Volvo head of RoAP Nick Connor at a function in Peppermint Bay, Tasmania, where dinner guests enjoyed a private performance from Volvo ambassador and indie pop sensation Amy Shark.

Volvo Cars Australia 2022 Pinnacle Awards of Excellence winners:

Volvo Cars South Yarra – Major metro retailer of the year (five years in a row)

Volvo Cars Parramatta – Major metro first runner up

Volvo Cars Five Dock – Major metro second runner up

Volvo Cars Penrith – Metro retailer of the year (three years in a row)

Volvo Cars Mosman – Metro runner up

Volvo Cars Central West – Rural retailer of the year

Stephen Connor finished his address by saying: “Congratulations and a huge, heartfelt thanks to our entire retail network.”

By Peter Barnwell