Mitsubishi celebrates top dealers
Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand (MMNZ) has recognised the talent across its 56-strong dealer network, which has contributed to the marque’s 10th consecutive year of increased market share, via a live-streamed awards ceremony.
Eight franchises shone among the rest when the results were announced on May 27 for leading the line across all aspects of their businesses – sales, customer satisfaction, finance and service – to become Diamond Dealers for 2020.
The winners were Bay City Mitsubishi of Tauranga, Simon Lucas Mitsubishi of Auckland, Wayne Kirk Mitsubishi in Hawke’s Bay, Piako Mitsubishi Rotorua, Wairarapa Mitsubishi in Masterton, Piako Mitsubishi Morrinsville, Delaney Mitsubishi of Paraparaumu – parts and service, and Baigent Motors in Matamata – parts and service.
“The success of the brand in New Zealand has always been a shared success,” says Daniel Cook, MMNZ’s chief operating officer. “It takes strong teamwork to succeed. We look to encourage and support all our dealers whenever we can. As with any team, we have star performers. It’s those with drive and ambition who rise to the top each year, and those who we’re proud to award our Diamond Dealer accolade to.
“We welcomed some familiar faces to the podium this year and are particularly pleased to join Piako Mitsubishi Morrinsville in celebrating its 10th consecutive win. It is incredibly impressive to better results year after year as Darrell and Catherine Russell have. It is also great to see first-time winners Brent and Tracey Cooper, of Wairarapa Mitsubishi, stirring up the competition.
“We may face some tough times ahead, but the passion and commitment demonstrated across our network will hold us all in good stead.”
The company says it had been on-track for another record sales year before the Covid-19 pandemic and, despite being derailed towards the end of the financial year, it has retained third-place on the country’s marque ladders and boosted its market share to 8.5 per cent.
Cook says notable highlights of the past 12 months have included the Triton outmuscling Toyota’s Hilux on several occasions to finish the year with an 11.5 per cent share of that market. MMNZ also launched two models at either end of the market – the new-model Mirage and premium Pajero Sport – while the Outlander PHEV recorded its highest month on record.
Category winners on the night
Diamond Dealers were not the only winners to enjoy the limelight on MMNZ’s awards night with other categories in which dealerships were rewarded for their excellence.
Customer service: Stephen Duff Mitsubishi (group one), Mexted Mitsubishi (group two), Saunders Mitsubishi (group three). Parts (overall): Simon Lucas Mitsubishi. Service (overall): Baigent Motors.
Top new-vehicle sales: Andrew Simms Newmarket (group one), Wayne Kirk Mitsubishi (group two), Piako Mitsubishi Morrinsville (group three). Top market share: Bay City Mitsubishi (group one), Piako Mitsubishi Rotorua (group two), Archibald Motors of Kaitaia (group three).
Managing director’s award: Ingham Mitsubishi Taupo. Finance dealer of the year: Pacific Motor Group Mitsubishi.
Judges’ comments on 2020’s Diamond Dealers
Bay City Mitsubishi (Tauranga): Aaron and Angela Chatfield took home their seventh consecutive Diamond Dealer trophy, again delivering exceptional results from a redeveloped facility through sheer tenacity and exceptional leadership. They have become an unstoppable force in the Diamond Dealer ring, not missing a beat since taking over the dealership in 2014.
Simon Lucas Mitsubishi (Auckland): Simon and Carolyn Lucas, who have won several Diamond Dealer awards over the years, were pleased to be back in the winners’ circle after missing out last year.
Wayne Kirk Mitsubishi (Hawke’s Bay): Wayne and Anna Kirk, who manage two branches in the Hawke’s Bay, were awarded MMNZ’s highest accolade for the first time since 2013. The long-standing franchise prides itself on customer service and has built a reliable reputation for looking after generations of local families.
Wairarapa Mitsubishi (Masterton): Brent and Tracey Cooper were thrilled to see their hard work pay off as first-time winners. They have invested a lot of hard work and passion into the business since purchasing it in 2015 and to join the winners’ circle is testament to their exceptional effort.
Piako Mitsubishi Rotorua: Nigel and Michelle Rumpler, and their team, topped their group for market share and claimed the ultimate prize for the second year in a row. The business was named finance dealer of the year in 2018 and was crowned a Diamond Dealer in 2016.
Piako Mitsubishi Morrinsville: Darrell and Catherine Russell, pictured above, have celebrated a decade of delivering better results and took out their 10th consecutive Diamond Dealer award out of a total of 11. This dealership proved that operating in a town of less than 10,000 need not restrict business, especially with parts and service support from Jono and Amiee Taaffe at nearby Piako Mitsubishi Te Aroha. As the first dealership in Australasia to sport Mitsubishi Motors’ new global visual identity on brand-new premises, the Russells have plenty of reasons to be proud of their continued success.
Delaney Mitsubishi (Paraparaumu, parts and service): Brent and Rachel Delaney showed MMNZ’s commitment to ensuring the best after-sales care in the country and are a high-flying crew on the Kapiti Coast. They are well-known in their local community and renowned for a high level of service. Their unstinting commitment to customer service makes them deserving winners of a fourth consecutive parts and service Diamond Dealer Award.
Baigent Mitsubishi (Matamata – parts and service): Justin and Catherine Scelly, with an inaugural Diamond Dealer parts and service win in 2016, know what it takes to be the best. Strong supporters of MMNZ’s after-sales initiatives, the Scellys are among the network’s most innovative operators by putting customers at the heart of everything they do. Their continued dedication to go the extra mile for their loyal rural base saw them return to take the second parts and service and award of 2020.
