Left to right: Roger Harper, Kristian Aquilina (Managing Director, Holden New Zealand – blue suit, without certificate), David Howarth, Jared Morris, Gary Clement, Ashok Parbhu, Julian Clement (Absent: Mike McCready)
Five Holden New Zealand dealer principals have been recognised with the highest General Motors dealership global honour.
The ‘Grandmaster’ award is bestowed on the world’s best performing General Motors dealers at an annual event, this year taking place in Barcelona, Spain.
The overall winning dealerships were 2015 are:
- Giltrap Holden, Glenfield – Holden Grand Master Chairman’s Award
- Robertson Holden, Palmerston North – Holden Grand Master Chairman’s Award
- Ebbett Tauranga – Holden Grand Master
- Wadsco Holden, Blenheim – Holden Grand Master Chairman’s Award
- Smallbone Holden, Ashburton – Holden Grand Master Chairman’s Award
Winners are selected based on vehicle and parts sales, service, customer satisfaction and facility standards. They are also judged on both the quantity and the quality of their operations.
“To receive Grand Master recognition is the pinnacle of achievement and is acknowledgment of outstanding performance across all facets of business operation,” says managing director of Holden New Zealand, Kristian Aquilina.
“It is a highly sought after award and only the best of the best in the world ever achieve it. I’m proud to have five Kiwi Holden dealers recognised on the world stage.”
The awards system creates healthy competition between dealers according to Aquilina.
“The Grand Master programme stimulates healthy competition in General Motors global dealer network and helps foster positive change,” he explains.
“In turn, there is a real drive amongst dealers to go the extra mile for their customers, clients and in their community.”
“Our dealers are critically important to the ongoing success of Holden in New Zealand as they are the interface with our customers.
“Their enthusiastic participation in our business, measured by way of the Grand Master awards, will help ensure we are at the leading edge of customer consideration when it comes to the purchase of a new vehicle as well as customer satisfaction.”
Isuzu Trucks are also included in the programme, and two Kiwi dealer principals were recognised at the award ceremony.
Ashok Parbhu and Gary Clement, from CAL Isuzu Hamilton and Smallbone Isuzu Ashburton respectively, received their Grand Master accolade at the presentation ceremony.
“The success of these dealers contributes to the outstanding performance of Isuzu Trucks in New Zealand, where they have been market leader for 16 years,” says Aquilina.
