Dealers sparkle at awards night
Bay City Mitsubishi in Tauranga has been crowned the marque’s supreme dealer of the year after achieving the best overall results across its national network.
It was one of a number of dealerships recognised by Mitsubishi Motors NZ (MMNZ) at the annual Diamond Dealer Awards, which were held in Japan this year at Tokyo’s Chinzanso Gardens.
The company was keen to celebrate the best of the best at the event following a 12-month period in which the company was New Zealand’s number-one passenger car brand for the 2022 calendar year and eclipsed its sales targets.
MMNZ had set an internal target of selling 15,000 units in 2022 but it smashed that goal with 23,899 sales, which was also up from 20,161 the previous year.
Tony Johnston, chief operating officer, says: “As a team, we significantly overachieved our targets in a declining market; and we’ve had some real highs along the way, including being named best automotive brand for customer experience by Kanstar; Outlander winning best-in-class PHEV in the AA Driven Car of the Year Awards, and, of course, reaching number one for passenger sales for 2022.
“We recognise that the more we put people first in everything we do, the more enduring our success. That extends to our team across the country, who truly deserve this special trip to Japan in recognition of the ongoing commitment they invest in their customers.”
The 2023 MMNZ Diamond Dealers are: Christchurch Mitsubishi, Baigent Motors (Matamata), Piako Mitsubishi Morrinsville, Bay City Mitsubishi (Tauranga), Piako Mitsubishi Te Aroha, WR Phillips Mitsubishi (New Plymouth), Piako Mitsubishi Rotorua, Ingham Mitsubishi Taupo and Simon Lucas Mitsubishi (North Shore).
Award citations
Christchurch Mitsubishi – Matt and Nicola Barr: Opening a second dealership in Rangiora didn’t stop Christchurch Mitsubishi from putting in a phenomenal effort over the financial year. An impressive 1,000 sales saw them take home their second consecutive Diamond Dealer award.
Baigent Motors (Matamata) – Justin and Catherine Scelly: Baigent Motors is a consistently high-performing dealership, and this marks its fifth Diamond Dealer award in a row. It is also MMNZ’s most awarded parts and service dealer.
Piako Mitsubishi Morrinsville – Darrell and Catherine Russell: This business has won more awards than any other dealership in the network, with this year’s award its 14th trophy on the back of a top 10 national result for a town of just 11,000. It also achieved top new vehicle sales in its group.
Bay City Mitsubishi (Tauranga) – Aaron and Angela Chatfield: This win makes it 10 in a row and 13 overall for Bay City Mitsubishi. Strong sales backed up by excellent customer service underpin this team’s results.
Piako Mitsubishi Te Aroha – Jono and Aimee Taaffe: The team scored the highest customer satisfaction index score in the country and this is their second consecutive Diamond Dealer award.
WR Phillips Mitsubishi (New Plymouth) – Paul and Julia Phillips: A third win in a row following a strong performance across the board, including gaining almost a 16 per cent market share in its region.
Piako Mitsubishi Rotorua – Nigel and Michelle Rumpler: This is the company’s fourth Diamond Dealer trophy.
Ingham Mitsubishi Taupo – Justin and Vanessa Wooding: These first-time winners have sparkled like the waters of their hometown lake.
Simon Lucas Mitsubishi (North Shore) – Simon and Carolyn Lucas: Back on the winner’s podium for the first time since 2019, Simon Lucas Mitsubishi scooped its 12th Diamond Dealer title with the highest number of PHEV sales across the network.
Other winners
Top new vehicle sales
Group 1: Andrew Simms Mitsubishi – Newmarket
Group 2: Brendan Foot Mitsubishi
Group 3: Piako Mitsubishi Morrinsville
Top market share
Group 1: West City Mitsubishi
Group 2: Mexted Mitsubishi
Group 3: Archibald Motors Kaitaia
Overall service excellence
Ingham Mitsubishi Hamilton
Overall parts excellence award
Simon Lucas Mitsubishi
Excellence in customer service
Group 1: Stephen Duff Mitsubishi
Group 2: WR Phillips
Group 3: Delaney Mitsubishi
Group 4: Piako Mitsubishi Te Aroha
Managing director’s award
Delaney Mitsubishi
• Pictured above are the Diamond Dealer winners of 2023.
Back row, from left: Jono and Aimee Taafee (Mitsubishi Te Aroha), Justin and Vanessa Wooding (Ingham Mitsubishi Taupo), Justin and Catherine Scelly (Baigent Motors Matamata), Nigel and Michelle Rumpler (Piako Mitsubishi Rotorua), Paul and Julia Phillips (WR Phillips) Darrell and Catherine Russell (Piako Mitsubishi Morrinsville).
Front row, from left: Tatsuo Nakamura (Mitsubishi Motors Corporation [MMC]), Noel Comerford (MMNZ), Matt and Nicola Barr (Christchurch Mitsubishi), Simon and Carolyn Lucas (Simon Lucas Mitsubishi), Aaron and Angela Chatfield (Bay City Mitsubishi), Masaki Tsugeno (MMC), Tony Johnston (MMNZ).
