All of our branches have certification by one of NZ's top eco standards. See what we are doing 
Modern cars need specialist tools & analysis. 
If you need help into your new car we can provide finance. Toyota announces 2015 dealership champions. The official press release.
Toyota New Zealand CEO, Alistair Davis (left) pictured with Tony Bowater, CEO of Bowater Toyota, holding the Dealer of the Year cup.
Bowater Toyota has been announced the 2015 Toyota Dealer of the Year at the annual Toyota Dealer Awards ceremony in Nelson over the weekend. This is the 2nd year in a row that the dealership has won the coveted award for overall excellence in all aspects of dealership operations.
Toyota New Zealand has been hosting a Dealership Awards ceremony for more than 30 years to recognise the continuous commitment and high level of performance that Toyota dealerships deliver, with this year’s celebrations also marking Toyota’s 50 year journey in New Zealand.
Bowater Toyota - which operates in Nelson, Richmond and Motueka - claimed the top award over fellow finalists Wanganui Toyota and Manawatu Toyota.
The company’s CEO, Tony Bowater, believes the award reflects the Bowater Toyota team’s collective understanding of their objectives and ability to stay focused and motivate one another to achieve.
“I am very proud of our team and humbled to receive this recognition on their behalf,” says Bowater.
“They have maintained focus in knowing what our expectations and goals are; to support and assist our customers, ensuring they receive the best service and reward us with a smile.
“To be recognised as Dealer of the Year, back to back, for a network as successful as Toyota is massive, it shows just how good our team is. For us, it is like winning the World Cup.”
Dealerships acquire points throughout the year across a multitude of aspects including their commitment to company growth, investment in people development and training, customer experience, sales target achievement, facilities and Mystery Shop results with the top three dealerships going on to become finalists.
The winners across the categories at the 2015 Toyota Dealer Awards held in Nelson this year. Click to enlarge.
Manawatu Toyota won the President’s Trophy for outstanding customer satisfaction – an award that rewards consistence excellence in customer satisfaction. The winner is chosen from the three top Customer Service dealerships in the franchise.
Manukau Toyota also performed exceptionally well over 2015 seeing them claim the Bob Field Leadership Award - for exemplary leadership in the advancement of the Manukau Toyota dealership and its people. Manukau Toyota also won the Toyota Financial Services Dealer of the Year Award.
Lexus of Hawkes Bay was named Lexus Dealer of the Year.
Kerry Walker, Toyota New Zealand’s Corporate Manager of Franchise Development, says the Dealer Awards represent the primary opportunity for Toyota New Zealand to thank their Dealers not just for their high level of performance but also for their support and commitment to the franchise throughout the year.
“The awards program provides the ultimate recognition to those Toyota Dealers that have both exceeded franchise standards, and gone above and beyond in meeting the needs of our customers,” says Walker.
“It’s only through the strong desire of our Dealer Network to exceed customer expectations that we have been able to maintain our position as the number one selling brand in New Zealand for the last 28 years.”
FULL LIST OF AWARD RECIPIENTS
Toyota Dealer of the Year – Bowater Toyota, (Nelson, Richmond & Motueka)
Introduced in 1985 as the Yokoi Cup with the inaugural winner being Campbell’s Toyota. The supreme award for overall excellence in all aspects of dealership operations.
President’s Trophy - Manawatu Toyota, (Palmerston North)
Introduced in 1991 to recognise the importance of Customer Service/satisfaction. Apart from Customer Satisfaction criteria include Customer Retention, Kodawari, Facilities, Environment, Mystery Shop results and customer management.
Excellence in Leadership Award – Manukau Toyota
The newest award which was introduced in 2012. The criteria for this award includes investment in Training, contribution to the wider Franchise, incorporating people development strategies within their Business Plan, use of the Toyota Careers website and achievement of franchise product results.
Lexus Dealer of the Year – Lexus of Hawkes Bay, (Hastings)
This award was introduced in 2002. The finalists are chosen from the 3 dealers that achieve the highest overall Lexus Dealer Scorecard points.
Branch/Associate Dealer of the Year – GWD Toyota, (Alexandra)
Originally there were separate Associate Dealer of the Year and Branch Dealer of the Year awards but these were combined in 2009. The criteria for this award was based on New Vehicle Market Share, Used Vehicle and Parts sales growth, Customer Radar scores, Facilities assessment and a range of other criteria.
New Vehicle Excellence Cup – Albany Toyota
Introduced in 1991 as the Chiwa Cup with the inaugural winner being Rangiora Toyota. The criteria for this award was based on the Scorecard New Vehicle Operations points along with points awarded for Target Achievement ranking, monthly sales per sales consultant and Mystery Shop results.
Used Vehicle Excellence Cup – Wanganui Toyota
Introduced in 1994 as the Sato Cup with the inaugural winner being King Toyota. The criteria for this award was based on the Scorecard Used Vehicle Operations points along with points awarded for Target Achievement ranking.
Parts and Accessories Excellence Cup – GWD Toyota
Introduced in 1991 as the Kaida Cup with the inaugural winner being Bowater Toyota. The criteria for this award was based on Scorecard Parts Operations points along with points awarded for Parts & Accessory Target achievement ranking and Parts Standards achievement.
Service Excellence Cup – Tasman Toyota, (New Plymouth)
Like Parts, introduced as the Kaida Cup in 1991, inaugural winner being Greenlane Toyota. The criteria for this award was based on Scorecard Service Operations points along with points awarded for Kodawari and Service Standards achievement.
Extra Care Excellence Cup - Rutherford & Bond Toyota, (Wellington, Porirua & Kapiti)
This award was introduced in 2005 to recognise the importance of this franchise product. The criteria for this award was based on Scorecard Extra Care points along with points awarded for Target Achievement ranking.
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
Wanganui Toyota
Manawatu 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
Miles Toyota
Hawkes Bay Toyota
Rutherford & Bond Toyota
North Shore Toyota
Tasman Toyota South
Canterbury Toyota
Triple Crown Certificate Winners
Awarded to dealers with Toyota leadership in Passenger, Commercial and Total New Vehicle sales.
Albany Toyota
North Shore Toyota
Rutherford & Bond Toyota
Bowater Toyota
Rangiora Toyota
Miles Toyota
Manawatu Toyota
Auckland City Toyota
