Premier Motors named Volvo’s top dealer

VOLVO Car Australia (VCA) has presented its 2010 Dealer of the Year award to Premier Motors in Perth, WA, which won the coveted prize despite suffering from extensive hailstorm damage during the year.

The dealership also took out the Volvo Insurance DOTY and Aftersales DOTY awards.

Accepting the awards at a presentation event in Sydney recently, Premier Motors dealer principal Rob Webster said the DOTY recognition was “testament to the hard work and dedication shown by each and every member of the Premier Motors team who worked tirelessly to make up lost ground following the severe impact of the hailstorm on the business”.

“We have been with the Volvo brand for over 32 years and this award is most certainly a highlight of that long association,” he said.

Outgoing VCA managing director Alan Desselss also highlighted Premier Motors’ comeback, describing the turnaround “from such a horror start” to last year as “exceptional”.

“Premier Motors worked extremely hard to make up lost ground following the severe impact of March’s hail damage,” he said. “A great job from a great team.”

As GoAuto has reported, Mr Desselss has been appointed president and CEO of Volvo Cars Japan. His successor in Australia is former VCA sales director Matt Braid.

In other awards presented in Sydney, Allan Mackay Autos in Moss Vale, NSW, won the highest PMA (prime market area) market share award for the second year running, while Melbourne City Volvo was recognised for the highest retail sales volume.

Premier Motors’ gong follows Silverstone Volvo’s 2009 DOTY award, which was also marked by the winning dealer experiencing trading difficulties.

In Silverstone’s case, the dealership suffered a fire at its premises in Doncaster, Victoria.

Volvo’s DOTY award recognises the dealership that has consistently achieved the highest standards across 13 criteria, including sales, aftersales, training, customer service and brand representation.