Feb 18 Bowater Toyota is victorious at the 2014 Toyota Dealer Awards

WINNERS! The proud management team from Bowater Toyota holding just some of the trophies from the annual 2014 Toyota Dealer Awards. From left: Nigel Last-Harris (Sales), Aaron McLean (Sales), Alistair Mapperley (Finance), Bowater Toyota CEO Tony Bowater, Sandie Horne (Admin), Kieron Reilly (Parts), Chris Westley (Service). Click the image to enlarge

"This is a reflection on the whole team across the region, and testament of what great teamwork can achieve" 

Bowater Toyota's CEO Tony Bowater and his wife Janine headed to Toyota New Zealand's home base in Palmerston North for the glittering, star studded black tie annual Toyota Dealer Awards on Friday 13th February. Tony was quietly optimistic of returning to Nelson with some awards in tow, and by quietly optimistic we mean very understated and totally downplaying the chances of such a clean sweep even though they were to find out that Bowater Toyota were finalists in 6 of the 8 categories they could be elegible for. 

What actually happened at the awards was something quite unexpected, but delightful and very humbling never the less. Bowater Toyota dominated the awards, bringing home 3 trophies including the prestigious and coveted Yokoi Cup for Dealer of the Year. This is awarded for overall excellence in dealership operations, market leadership and dealership facilities, and is the first time since the award was rolled out in 1985 that the Bowater Toyota name has graced the side of this very important recognition.

From Left: Alistair Davis (Toyota NZ Managing Director & CEO), Tony Bowater (Bowater Toyota CEO), Janine Bowater, S. Teramoto (Toyota NZ Senior Executive Director). Click image to enlarge.  

Also won on the night were two more major awards - the New Car Sales Excellence Cup, as well as the Parts & Accessories Excellence Cup, trophies that Bowater Toyota also won the previous year (2013). To top it off the night didn't end there, with additional recognition, with Bowater Toyota receiving the Platinum Award for achieving a level of excellence that significantly exceeds that of similar sized dealerships in all areas of operation, as well as the Triple Crown Certificate; recognition that the dealership came in on top of sales for passenger, commercial and Total New vehicle sales in the region.

Alistair Davis looks on slightly nervously as Tony Bowater casually exits stage left around Toyota Ambassador Valerie Adams with a very heavy and precious onyx trophy balanced in one arm. Right: the Excellence Cups for New Vehicles & Parts and Accessories in one arm, the Yokoi Cup in the other. Click to enlarge image.

Bowater Toyota has had a fantastic last couple of years, with the entire dealership going from strength to strength as the top of the south has thrived in the face of some tougher times nationwide. Consistently Nelson and Tasman has been on the list of regions doing remarkably well, with business confidence on the increase and focal industries like tourism now in growth mode again. It was fitting then that Bowater Toyota did so well at this years Toyota Dealer Awards, in amongst a highly competitive environment of high achievers that have been part of a nationwide network leading the way in vehicle sales, service and after sales in New Zealand for almost 3 decades now.

Bowater Toyota CEO Tony Bowater was blown away by the presentation, believing the award reflects the Bowater Toyota team’s ongoing commitment to ultimate customer service and sales performance.

“I was honoured to represent our team; they have gone above and beyond to ensure our clients reward us with a smile,” said Tony Bowater.

“It was incredibly humbling to achieve this milestone at Toyota; the most competitive and successful franchise in New Zealand. After 27 years at Number One you cannot let your focus fade for a second.

“I am very proud of everyone at Bowater Toyota.”

It was a very emotional moment back at Bowater Toyota the morning that the Yokoi Cup, and the two other trophies, showed up. We recorded the moment to share. 

Steve Prangnell, General Manager Sales and Operations, says the Awards are an opportunity for Toyota New Zealand to thank dealers for their consistently high level of performance.

“The support and commitment of dealers around the country contributes to the ongoing trust and loyalty in the Toyota brand in New Zealand,” said Mr Prangnell.

“We have consistently topped the sales charts for 27 years, and it is important for Toyota to acknowledge the contribution dealers make to this achievement,” says Steve Prangnell.

“Having clear Awards criteria gives dealers targets to aim for, and every year the competition seems to be more intense as dealers aim for continuous improvement.”

The award for dealer of the year is also a reflection on the success of the entire Nelson and Tasman region as a whole.

Tony Bowater also stated "These awards are so much more than trophies. They are symbols of the success of all of us. Our team. Our customers. The community we are such a big part of. It was such a gratifying moment to reflect on the confidence and support that the people of our wonderful region have shown with us over the years." 

The Bowater Motor Group have been a very proactive member of the community since first starting out in Achilles Ave way back in 1947. The family owned business has been deeply supportive of a wide range of local community groups, sports teams and community institutions over the years. This continues to this day with a very long list of current involvements that can be found in the community section of our website. 

The recognition from Toyota New Zealand of the hard work from the entire Bowater Toyota team has certainly added a new layer of pride, and silverware, to the customer reception area.

The new trophies from the recent awards join the A&P Show trophy and Nelson Bays Football trophy kindly on display. Click to enlarge.

Bowater Toyota Administration Manager Sandie Horne thinks that this is a wonderful opportunity to engage with clients. "When our customers are enjoying our hospitality as they wait, they can see that they are dealing with a company that is not only doing really well, but also being recognised for great service."

 

Winners of Excellence Cups for second year in a row.  

The Excellence Cups are a recognition for excellence in the department. This year the Parts and Accessories team and the Sales team were rewarded for the second year in a row with the Parts and Accessories Excellence Cup, as well as the New Vehicle Excellence Cup. Both of these departments are on a roll having won the award consecutively, and are feeling mighty proud of such a great achievement. 

The award winning Parts Department at Bowater Toyota. From left: Kieron Reilly (Manager) with Gary Fitzgerald, Emma King-Turner, Barry Roach & Gordon Palmer

Parts and Accessories Manager Kieron Reilly has been over the moon with the accolade. His team are recognised as the best in the country in the eyes of the whole dealer network, for the second year running, and the 6th time since 1991. What this means for our customers is that they can be assured that they have got a great team working on their behalf, keeping the flow of parts coming efficiently and affordably, and offering advice and experience second to none. 

The successful Sales Team behind Bowater Toyota. From left: Andrew Maitland, Toby Bowden, Rick Warren, Steve Collier, Alistair Mapperley, Nigel Last-Harris, Steve Webster, Aaron McLean. Click to enlarge. 

The Sales department are keen tob let everyone know of their success as well. For the second year in a row they too have be recognised as top of their game. This makes it the 3rd time in 7 years that this team has won this award - high praise indeed from a hugely competitive Toyota dealer network! 

 

2014 Toyota New Zealand Dealer Awards Prize Winners. 

Toyota Dealer of the Year

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The supreme award for overall excellence in all aspects of dealership operations.
The finalists:

• Bowater Toyota
• Miles Toyota
• Tasman Toyota

The winner: BOWATER TOYOTA

 

President’s Trophy

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The supreme award for consistent excellence in customer satisfaction.
The finalists:

• Cooke Howlison Toyota
• Manawatu Toyota
• Hawkes Bay Toyota

The winner: HAWKES BAY TOYOTA

 

Excellence in Leadership Award

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The award for outstanding leadership of a dealership team.
The finalists:

• Miles Toyota
• Bowater Toyota
• Manawatu Toyota

The winner: MILES TOYOTA

 

Associate / Branch Dealer of the Year

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The award for overall excellence in all aspects of associate / branch dealership operations
The finalists:

• Eastland Toyota / Gisborne
• Hawkes Bay Toyota / Taupo
• Rutherford & Bond Toyota / Porirua

The winner: RUTHERFORD & BOND TOYOTA, PORIRUA

 

New Vehicle Excellence Cup

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The award for overall excellence in New Vehicle operations.
The finalists:

• Bowater Toyota
• Manawatu Toyota
• Miles Toyota

The winner: BOWATER TOYOTA

 

Used Vehicle Excellence Cup

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The award for overall excellence in Used Vehicle operations.
The finalists:

• Hawkes Bay Toyota
• North Shore Toyota
• Northland Toyota

The winner: NORTHLAND TOYOTA

 

Parts & Accessories Excellence Cup

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The award for overall excellence in Parts operations.
The finalists:

• GWD Toyota
• Bowater Toyota
• North Otago Motor Group

The winner: BOWATER TOYOTA

 

Service Excellence Cup

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The award for overall excellence in Service operations.
The finalists:

• Bowater Toyota
• Cooke Howlison Toyota
• Manukau Toyota

The winner: MANUKAU TOYOTA

 

Extra Care Excellence Cup

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The award for overall excellence in Extra Care operations.
The finalists:

• Hawkes Bay Toyota
• Rutherford & Bond Toyota
• Bowater Toyota

The winner: HAWKES BAY TOYOTA

 

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2014 Toyota Award winners - total list:

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Dealer of the Year - Bowater Toyota

Presidents Trophy - Hawkes Bay Toyota

Excellence in Leadership Award - Miles Toyota

Associate/Branch Dealer of the Year – Rutherford & Bond Toyota, Porirua

New Vehicle Excellence Cup – Bowater Toyota

Used Vehicle Excellence Cup – Northland Toyota

Parts & Accessories Excellence Cup – Bowater Toyota

Service Excellence Cup – Manukau Toyota

Extra Care Excellence Cup – Hawkes Bay Toyota

Toyota Financial Services President’s Trophy for Excellence in Customer Service – Tasman Toyota

 

Platinum Award winners

The dealership must achieve a level of excellence that significantly exceeds that of similar sized dealerships in all areas of operation.

• Bowater Toyota
• Miles Toyota
• Manawatu Toyota 
• Tasman Toyota

Gold Award winners

The dealership must achieve a level of excellence that exceeds that of similar sized dealerships in all areas of operation.

• GWD Toyota
• Cooke Howlison Toyota
• Hawkes Bay Toyota
• Manukau Toyota
• North Shore Toyota
• North Otago Motor Group
• Albany Toyota
• South Canterbury Toyota
• Northland Toyota

 

Triple Crown Certificate winners

Awarded to Dealers with Toyota leadership in Passenger, Commercial and Total New Vehicle sales.

• Cooke Howlison Toyota
• Coast Toyota
• Wilmot Toyota
• Bowater Toyota
• South Canterbury Toyota
• Albany Toyota
• Manukau Toyota
• Miles Toyota
• North Shore Toyota
• Pacific Toyota
• Rangiora Toyota
• Tasman Toyota
• Rutherford & Bond Toyota