CMI and Vanderfield win top dealer awards for Hino

HINO has named CMI Hino in Laverton North, Victoria, as its 2009 Metropolitan Dealer of the Year.

At a gala function in Sydney recently, the Toyota truck division also presented its 2009 Rural Dealer of the Year award to Vanderfield Hino's Toowoomba branch in south-east Queensland – the fifth time the dealership has won the coveted award since 2002.

CMI Hino dealer principal Paul Crawford said it was a great honour to win the top metro award.

"We were delighted to receive the Dealer of the Year award on behalf of all of the CMI Hino staff in Melbourne," he said.

"It is a testament to the leadership of branch manager Mark Dempsey and his sales manager Greg Williams, but the award is much more than that – it is also recognition of the many individuals within the dealership, especially in fixed operations.

"Knowing that the Dealer of the Year award was won against the best Hino dealerships in the country makes it all the more gratifying."Hino has 44 dealers across Australia. The DOTY awards are based on performance in sales, service, parts and accessories.

In addition to Toowoomba, Vanderfield Hino operates dealerships in Lismore (NSW), Nerang (Qld) and Darwin (NT).

In accepting the top rural dealer award, managing director Bruce Vandersee made special mention of Toowoomba management team of branch manager Jason Jones, sales manager Gary Beutel, service manager Terry Fowler and parts manager Jeff Hansen, and Darwin manager Aaron Heath, who looks after all the Vanderfield Hino operations.

"I was a bit surprised to get it this year, to be honest, but it's really nice to win," said Mr Vandersee. "The guys in our team and their attitude to customers make all the difference, I think, and we also get great support from Hino's field guys.

"Those guys all work really well together and, when you get people with good attitudes, you don't need to look over their shoulders because you know they're always doing their best for the customers."