Jaguar dealers win top Motor Trader awards 2007

Jaguar dealer Hatfields of Wakefield has scooped the ‘Franchised Dealership of the Year’ title at Motor Trader’s prestigious Industry Awards for 2007, while Merritts Jaguar of Amersham received the Aftermarket Award.

Voted for by an experienced panel of judges from Motor Trader, the winning Jaguar dealers beat all other carmaker-approved dealers from across the UK for their titles, including strong rivals BMW, Audi, Mercedes and Porsche. The selection process for the Motor Trader Industry Awards is widely regarded as the most rigorous in the automotive world. Written submissions, site visits and interviews all contribute to the assessment.

The ‘Franchised Dealership of the Year’ Award recognises excellence across the whole spectrum of business activities, including marketing, aftersales, new and used car sales, and training.

The ‘Aftermarket’ Award meanwhile recognises the best innovations in customer care, marketing and business management designed to generate sales growth and profitability. Among other things, Merritts Jaguar has set up a unique website where customers can book services and repairs online and from their mobile phones and then watch their cars being serviced and repaired via a workshop webcam.

Geoff Cousins, UK Managing Director of Jaguar Cars, commented: “I am delighted that both dealerships have been recognised for the great work that they do. It is an outstanding achievement to be chosen over the tough competition from our main competitors. Jaguar dealers in the UK are continuing to impress customers with their dedication to customer care and with the all-new XF just around the corner, these awards of recognition couldn’t come at a better time.”

Editor of Motor Trader Curtis Hutchinson said: “Under the inspiring leadership of dealer principal Andy Maddock, Hatfields Jaguar in Wakefield is focusing on its local retail market and offering customers the best sales and service experience it can deliver.”

Commenting on the win by Merritts Jaguar, Curtis continued: “Customer care and service excellence have been the main priority of this family-owned and run business since it was formed in 1981. The internet and mobile phone technology has played a major part in providing exceptional service to Merritts’ customers. Meticulous attention to customers’ needs has led to an impressive 80 percent customer retention rate.”

Gareth Williams, Managing Director of the Hatfields group and David Wallington, Dealer Principal of Merritts Jaguar, collected their awards from comedian Ronnie Corbett in front of an audience of more than 1,200 people at a glittering ceremony held at the luxurious Grosvenor House Hotel in London.