Automotive firms show quality

Top-rated dealers, rental firms and insurers scoop awards after annual survey of Kiwi consumers.

Posted on 21 November, 2023

Turners Cars, Toyota, Avis and the AA have been named among the winners in a national survey to find companies with the most satisfied customers.

The Reader’s Digest Quality Service Awards for 2024 are based on the ratings of 1,570 New Zealanders and cover a range of industries.

Turners came top in the used vehicle dealership category, with a silver gong going to 2 Cheap Cars.

Toyota Signature Class, pictured, triumphed in the manufacturer-certified used car sales section and was placed ahead of Honda Certified Used Cars.

The AA has two reasons to celebrate after AA Insurance took out the car insurance title and AA Roadservice won the roadside assistance award. AMI and State Insurance clinched the silver awards in those categories, respectively.

In other industries, Avis was rated the highest among car rental companies and Bridgestone was named the top tyre retailer.

Louise Waterson, Reader’s Digest editor-in-chief, says the annual awards were launched in 2015 and invite everyday people to say which companies deserve to be acknowledged for customer service excellence.

“Their opinions offer a valuable guide to all consumers and also helps to raise the bar on the quality of customer service interactions,” she adds.

“Superior service, genuine care and an individualised approach are all vital to building a business that enjoys the certainty of maintaining a customer’s loyalty.

“This year’s winning businesses understand that good customer service can make a customer’s day, and it can certainly make a business.”

Catalyst Consultancy & Research was commissioned by Reader’s Digest to conduct the survey that covered 31 categories.