Prestige Hino’s Angelo Valerio (second from left) and Newcastle Hino’s Kevin Purcell (second from right) are congratulated by Megumu Yamashiki (far left), Sam (Takashi) Suda, (middle) and Steve Lotter (far right).
Australia’s leading Hino dealerships have received accolades at the company’s Dealer of the Year awards, held at Sydney’s Westin Hotel on Saturday 23 February.
For the fourth consecutive year, the crown of Metropolitan Dealer of the Year was won by Victoria’s Prestige Hino (Dandenong) while the Regional Dealer of the Year title was claimed by Newcastle Hino for the fifth time, four of which were in the last six years.
Dealer Principal of Prestige Hino Angelo Valerio complimented his team on their exceptional performance in 2018:
“As I walk into the dealership each day I can see every employee is committed to our customers and to their team - our managers have done an exceptional job driving the performance culture each day.
“I look forward to 2019, because if the last 4 years are any indication, our team will continue to improve on what we currently have to excel even further for Hino and our customers, which we hope will result in a sixth Dealer of the Year title for Prestige Hino.”
Newcastle Hino Dealer Principal Kevin Purcell was delighted with the award:
“Our team is focused on being the best that we can possibly be, and to have our efforts recognised and applauded is awesome.
“I am immensely proud of everybody at Newcastle Hino and it is a continuing pleasure and privilege to lead such a committed group of people.”
Another addition to the trophy cabinet at Prestige Hino in Dandenong, Melbourne was the 2018 Salesperson of the Year award, which was won by the dealership’s Danny Timewell.
For the first year, the Customer Experience Awards were split between Sales and Service departments, and awarded at both a regional and metropolitan level.
Pacific Hino (Cairns) was successful in clinching the Customer Experience – Service award at a regional level while Sydney’s Adtrans Hino won the metropolitan title.
In the Customer Service – Sales title, the metropolitan title was awarded to Prestige Hino and the regional crown went to Port Augusta’s Northpoint Hino.
In a nod to longevity of service, West Orange Motors was recognised for its 40 year partnership with Hino.
Hino Motor Sales Australia Chairman and CEO Steve Lotter credited the brand’s excellent results to the strong dealership network and the efforts of the Hino Motor Sales Australia team.
“With an increase in sales of 17% in 2018 compared with 2017, Hino outperformed the market, taking our market share to 15.8% - likewise we achieved record results in both the service and parts divisions of the business,” said Mr Lotter.
“Our ongoing focus on the customer has translated to a continued high customer experience score which provides us with the strong foundation we require for further growth.”
Among the 300 guests were new Hino Australia President and COO Sam (Takashi) Suda, Hino Motors Limited’s Megumu Yamashiki (Managing Officer), and Supercars legend and Hino Ambassador Neil Crompton, who was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening.
2018 Hino Dealer of the Year Results
Metropolitan Dealer of the Year: Prestige Hino, Dandenong
Regional Dealer of the Year: Newcastle Hino
Hino Financial Services Award: CMI Hino Adelaide
Customer Experience - Sales
Northpoint Hino, Port Augusta, South Australia (Regional Class)
Prestige Hino, Dandenong (Metropolitan Class)
Customer Experience - Service
Pacific Hino, Cairns (Regional Class)
Adtrans Hino, Smeaton Grange, Mascot and Gosford (Metropolitan Class)
Salesperson of the Year:
Danny Timewell, Prestige Hino, Melbourne
Sales Excellence (Metro):
GOLD – Prestige Hino, Dandenong
SILVER – Adtrans Hino, Smeaton Grange, Mascot and Gosford
BRONZE – WA Hino Sales & Service, Perth
Sales Excellence (Regional):
GOLD – Illawarra Hino
SILVER – Newcastle Hino
BRONZE – Tait Motors, Goondiwindi
Parts Excellence (Metro):
GOLD – CMI Hino Melbourne
SILVER – Sci-Fleet Hino, Brisbane
BRONZE – WA Hino Sales & Service, Perth
Parts Excellence (Regional):
GOLD – Bunbury Trucks
SILVER – Pacific Hino
BRONZE – Sci-Fleet Hino Nerang
Service Excellence (Metro):
GOLD – CMI Hino Adelaide
SILVER – Prestige Hino, Dandenong
BRONZE – Adtrans Hino, Smeaton Grange, Mascot & Gosford
Service Excellence (Regional):
GOLD – Honeycombes Sales & Service, Townsville
SILVER – Coffs Harbour Hino, NSW
BRONZE – Bendigo Truck Centre, Victoria