Motability coup for SMA

Scottish Motor Auctions’ Newcastle site was crowned the UK’s Best Auction Centre by Motability Operations, the company which manages the Motability Car Scheme.

Successful sales conversions of cars formerly owned by Motability customers, combined with SMA’s presentation of vehicles prior to sale and its ability to achieve high hammer prices were cited as the key reasons behind the success.

This latest award was presented to SMA Managing Director Bob Anderson and Steven Cooper, manager of SMA’s Birtley site, Newcastle, by BBC News presenter Huw Edwards during the annual Supplier Awards held at the prestigious Luton Hoo Hotel.

It confirms Motability’s confidence in SMA - Britain’s biggest independent car auction house. In April, the organisation gave SMA the greenlight to auction its vehicles from its newly acquired site in Leeds in addition to its established sites in Kinross and Livingston in Scotland and Newcastle.

Managing Director Bob Anderson, said: “We’re extremely proud to receive the award. We all strive to deliver the optimum service for our clients, having our efforts recognised in this way is truly fulfilling. I’m especially pleased for Steven and his team. He is extremely passionate about his role, this in turn cascades through the entire operation resulting in an extremely motivated group.”

Setting standards for excellence and sharing best practice, the Supplier Awards take place each year and recognise the manufacturers, dealer groups, individual car dealers and aftersales specialists, as well as key suppliers to the Car Scheme who all deliver service to the organisations’ half a million customers every day.

Mike Betts, chief executive, Motability Operations, explains: “This has been a positive year for the Motability Scheme and key to this has been the work of our business partners and suppliers who provide the highest levels of service for our customers. SMA should be truly proud of their achievement as the Best Performing Auction Centre at the 2009 Motability Operations Supplier Awards. They have performed a key role in helping deliver exemplary levels of customer satisfaction and setting the standard for business excellence.”

In addition to the 13 awards that were presented on Friday, July 3, a further 28 commendations are also being awarded to businesses and individuals who have demonstrated huge commitment and achievements over the last 12 months.