Awards for Diamond Dealers

Mitsubishi Motors NZ (MMNZ) has celebrated its best performers at its Diamond Dealer awards after the marque recorded its third biggest financial year ever.

It secured a market share of 10.6 per cent in 2023 and a dominant 51.6 per cent of registrations when it came to plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). 

Then there was its third-highest total sales figure of 14,545 units for past financial year with three models placing in New Zealand’s overall top 10 – the Outlander in fifth, the Triton came fifth and the Eclipse Cross took out seventh.

In the passenger segment alone, MMNZ came second overall with a 10.3 per cent share of the market, led by the Outlander in second on 4,363 units and the Eclipse Cross in fourth with 3,243 units.

MMNZ’s 2024 Diamond Dealers are Bay City Mitsubishi in Tauranga, Simon Lucas Mitsubishi on Auckland’s North shore, WR Phillips Mitsubishi in New Plymouth, Mexted Mitsubishi in Wellington, Ingham Mitsubishi Te Awamutu, Piako Mitsubishi Morrinsville, Delaney Mitsubishi in Paraparaumu, Baigent Motors in Matamata and Peter Keown Mitsubishi, Oamaru.

From those, Bay City Mitsubishi was chosen as the Supreme Diamond Dealer at awards ceremony on May 17 at the Millbrook Resort in Queenstown. 

Chief operating officer, Tony Johnston, says: “Our dealership network can be very proud of its performance over the past 12 months. 

“To have the overwhelmingly most-popular PHEV in the country and three other models in the top 10 doesn’t happen without the dedication of every one of our dealers, and especially our Diamond Dealers.

“Mitsubishi remains a popular choice for Kiwis across the country. That has as much to do with the style, affordability and functionality of our range as it does with the high standard of customer care and support that lies at the heart of everything we do.

“We’re always striving to better our best by identifying areas in which we can raise our service levels and ensuring a continual improvement of our range. Reaction to the next-generation Triton, which is already posting impressive order numbers, shows we remain on the right track.

“Our high-performing network is at the centre of our success. Our annual Diamond Dealer awards night provides the chance to recognise the hard-earned achievement of our standout performers.”

Winning Diamond Dealers

Here’s what the judges had to say about each franchise and the dealer principal.

Bay City Mitsubishi is amassing a pile of Diamond Dealer awards to rival Mount Maunganui. This outstanding dealership has claimed 11 wins in a row, 15 overall and its second consecutive Supreme Diamond Dealer. Aaron Chatfield oversees an excellent team, which delivers consistently high sales results and customer service.

Simon Lucas Mitsubishi, headed up by dealer principal Simon Lucas, is back on a winning streak to take its total to 14 top awards. The dealership has backed up its 2023 win with a repeat this year, along with the customer-excellence award.

WR Phillips Mitsubishi has now won four Diamond Dealer titles in a row thanks to strong performances across the board and a close connection to its community. Paul and Julia Phillips can also take great pride in winning a top market-share award for their group with nearly 16 per cent of total sales.

Mexted Mitsubishi, and Mark and Nicole Munkittrick, celebrated their first Diamond Dealer win in addition to a customer-excellence award just three years after taking over the Tawa business north of Wellington. The location last tasted success under previous owners in 2018 and, thanks to the enthusiasm and expertise of the Munkittricks and their team, has been welcomed back to the winners’ table.

Ingham Mitsubishi Te Awamutu and Stefan Cooper’s first win in 2022 was the result of a 108 per cent lift in sales and the second-best customer service index in the country, all while undertaking a dealership upgrade. This year “marks a return to form for this passionate and hardworking outfit from the close-knit township.”

Piako Mitsubishi Morrinsville and Darrell Russell continue to stay ahead of the pack with this 26th win being the most of any the marque’s dealers – a “remarkable achievement” in another community with a population of just 11,000.

Brent and Rachel Delaney, of Delaney Mitsubishi, are no strangers to the Diamond Dealer winning feeling having picked up five trophies in parts and service categories. This is their first victory for vehicle sales, demonstrating all-round excellence. They also take home the customer-excellence award for their group.

Parts & service diamonds

Baigent Motors and Justin Scelly continued an impressive winning streak by taking home their sixth Diamond Dealer award in a row. This high-performing team is MMNZ’s most awarded parts and service dealer.

Oamaru-based Peter Keown Mitsubishi has been with Mitsubishi since 2001 and has been delivering excellence for more than 20 years. The first Diamond Dealer win by Peter and Susan Keown was boosted by exceptionally high customer-experience ratings.

Rest of the winners

Managing director’s award: Morrison Mitsubishi Ashburton. Finance dealer of the year: Morrison Mitsubishi Sockburn, Christchurch. Customer excellence: Simon Lucas Mitsubishi (group one), Mexted Motors (group two), Delaney Mitsubishi (group three).

Top new-vehicle sales: Andrew Simms Mitsubishi Newmarket (group one), Brendan Foot Mitsubishi (group two), Piako Mitsubishi Morrinsville (group three). Top market share: Morrison Mitsubishi Sockburn (group one), WR Phillips Mitsubishi (group two), Archibald Cars, Kaitaia (group three).

Excellence in overall service: Magnus Lennie Mitsubishi, Opotiki. Excellence in overall parts: Baigent Motors, Matamata.