A Dundee car dealership has been named the best in the UK at a prestigious industry awards ceremony.
Barnetts Volkswagen on Riverside Drive beat more than 6,500 other showrooms to claim the title of Best Dealership at the Automotive Management Awards, the motor industry equivalent of the Oscars,which was held at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham.
The judges said the business “does everything right”.
“From a vibrant and modern showroom and excellent customer care to great staff morale and financial results, Barnetts Volkswagen ticks all the boxes of what a modern dealership should be,” the panel of industry experts said.
It was nominated by Volkswagen UK after increasing customer service scores at the same time as boosting sales volumes and beat five other shortlisted dealerships, including Peter Vardy Perth, to the coveted title.
Barnetts said a management restructure had empowered staff, leading to a record year for sales.
The success follows last year’s Sales Team of the Year gong.
Managing director Jim Brown said: “To be recognised as Best Dealership in the 2014 AM Awards is the absolute pinnacle of the many achievements that Barnetts Volkswagen has enjoyed over the past few years.
“It’s the award that everyone in the motor trade wants to win.
“Following on from our success in 2013, the whole team at the dealership pulled together to focus on improving our performance and the customer experience.”
Group results for last year have yet to be filed at Companies House but Mr Brown said performance by the VW marque had made significant strides last year.
“Ultimately, 2013 has been our best year with new car sales up by 25%, used car sales 20% higher and we’ve increased sales of both labour hours and parts while improving customer satisfaction results too,” he said.
Barnetts Motor Group began life with the opening of a Volvo dealership in Dundee’s Seagate in the early 1960s.
The company has since added Volkswagen, Mazda and Peugeot vehicles to its repertoire.
It now employs more than 150 people throughout Tayside and Fife, selling more than 4,000 vehicles every year and carrying out in excess of 25,000 services annually from Dundee and St Andrews.
Turnover rose by 10% to £47.2m during 2012, thanks to a strong performance in new vehicle sales and stable used car volumes.
The group then said it hoped to boost its after sales business “though creative marketing and customer friendly initiatives”.
The new accolade was presented by BBC presenter Sophie Raworth and comedian Marcus Brigstocke, who were hosting the awards ceremony. The dealership was also nominated in the Retailer of the Year category, but was pipped to the post by Arnold Clark Motors.