Toyota New Zealand has announced its full list of winners from the 2021 Toyota and Lexus Business Excellence Awards, which it held online on March 17.
The Toyota Supreme Award grand prize, which goes to the dealership that shows the best “overall excellence in all aspects of store operations, market leadership and branch facilities” went to Bowater Toyota.
With three franchises situated in Nelson, Richmond, and Motueka, Bowater Toyota managed to earn both the top gong and the President’s Trophy; the latter awarded for outstanding customer service. The wins add to the dealership’s prize tally, having been crowned Toyota Dealer of the Year in 2014, 2015, and 2016.
“The whole team at Bowater Toyota is delighted to take home not just the Toyota Supreme Award but the President’s Trophy too,” says Tony Bowater, Chief Executive Officer of Bowater Toyota.
“It really does recognise the hard work we all put in during the year and the commitment we have to provide the best service we can to our fantastic Toyota customers in the Nelson region.”
The event’s other winners included Ebbett Toyota (Hamilton), Rutherford & Bond Toyota (Wellington), and Lexus of Auckland City.
Ebbett Toyota claimed the Parts and Accessories Excellence Cup, with the group’s CEO Tony Coutinho winning the Excellence in Leadership Award. Rutherford & Bond Toyota won the New Vehicle Excellence Cup and Branch of the Year, for its Kapiti branch.
Lexus Auckland City, meanwhile, won the Lexus Supreme Award. A full list of winners is available below.
“To say that the business environment over the past 24 months has been challenging would be an understatement. With lockdowns, economic downturn and supply chain issues, 2021 presented our Stores with operating conditions they’ve never experienced before,” Mr Prangnell says.
“Despite this, the efforts and success of the Toyota Store network throughout the past year have been nothing short of amazing, with exceptional results across the board.
“Our New Vehicle Store network came together to deliver 30,200 vehicle sales, obtain a market share of 18.4% and ensure 34 years of continuous market leadership.
“Having clear awards criteria gives branches targets to aim for, and every year the competition seems to be more intense as our Stores aim for continuous improvement.”
2021 Toyota and Lexus Business Excellence Awards winners
Toyota Supreme Award: Bowater Toyota
Lexus Supreme Award: Auckland City Lexus
President’s Trophy: Bowater Toyota
Excellence in Leadership Award: Tony Coutinho, Ebbett Toyota CEO
New Vehicle Excellence Cup: Rutherford & Bond Toyota
Used Vehicle Excellence Cup: Manawatu Toyota
Branch of the Year: Rutherford & Bond Toyota, Kapiti Branch
Parts and Accessories Excellence Cup: Ebbett Toyota
Toyota Financial Services Excellence Cup: Manukau Toyota
Service Excellence Cup: South Canterbury Toyota