Isuzu Trucks’ Dealer Of The Year Announced

Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) created history in 2018, with the country’s top-selling truck brand flying into its 30^th consecutive year of market leadership with a best-ever sales volume result of 10,027 units, an achievement made possible by the hard work of its national Isuzu Truck Dealer Network.

Mirroring the hyper-competitiveness of the total truck market, Isuzu’s national dealer network exhibited a hardened resolve to reach heights never before seen in the history of the industry. Isuzu Trucks’ top dealer honour, National Dealer of the Year, was announced last week at the company’s annual national dealer meeting in Melbourne. Three other award categories were announced during the event, including Sales, Service and Parts awards for top performance in 2018. Notching up an impressive hat-trick in 2018 with the achievement of National Dealer of the Year, was Ballarat Isuzu. From Left to Right: Mr Ian Deacon, Dealer Principal, Ballarat Isuzu, Mr Paul Evans, Business Planning Manager & Company Secretary, IAL and Mr John Plunkett, National Parts Manager, IAL. Commenting on the award, IAL Managing Director Ms Hiroko Yaguchi noted that it was the unrelenting focus on the delivery of exemplary customer service and support that saw Ballarat Isuzu achieve the award once again in 2018. “The Dealer Principal Ian Deacon and his team at Ballarat Isuzu are examples of the Isuzu difference and what has kept us number one for 30 years in a row,” she said. “Testament to this success is the expansion of the Ballarat Isuzu operation with the team recently also taking on the Mount Gambier Isuzu Trucks dealer franchise. “We look forward to Ian and all at Ballarat Isuzu continuing their success into the years ahead. They’ve certainly built a strong foundation for the future,” Ms Yaguchi concluded. From Left to Right: Mr Bill Holland, National Service Manager, IAL, Mr Paul Evans, Business Planning Manager & Company Secretary, IAL, Mr Luke Taggart, Dealer Principal, Suttons Trucks Arncliffe For Ballarat Isuzu Dealer Principal, Ian Deacon, the award confirmed his team was well and truly on the right track. “It’s truly an honour to be recognised as the top performing dealership three years in a row, especially given the stiff competition we’re always up against,” said Mr Deacon. “They say you’ve got to do it three times to not be a fluke, and Ballarat Isuzu has done it again! “I believe that the team at Ballarat Isuzu is second to none. The never-ending dedication and support of the entire team is what ensures our customers get the exceptional level of service and support they deserve. I’m extremely proud to see their hard work rewarded.” And the awards kept coming in Melbourne, as IAL Business Planning Manager and Company Secretary, Paul Evans, awarded Sales Dealer of the Year to Dealer Principal Richard Kirby and his team at Tracserv in Dubbo. Bringing in the second hat-trick of the evening, Suttons Trucks in Arncliffe were announced Service Dealer of the Year for the third year in a row, capping off a huge year for the Sydney based dealer. Rounding out the awards, Parts Dealer of the Year award was shared between Peel Valley Isuzu in Tamworth and the unstoppable Ballarat Isuzu. From Left to Right: Mr Richard Kirby, Dealer Principal, Tracserv, Mr Paul Evans, Business Planning Manager & Company Secretary IAL and Mr Les Spaltman, National Sales Manager, IAL Matt Coombes, from Peel Valley, stood in for Dealer Principal, Steve Johns, and expressed his gratitude for IAL’s acknowledgement of his team. “Credit where credit is due as they say and to the team at Tamworth…excellent work!” Mr. Coombes said. “It’s an absolute pleasure to share this award and an even greater pleasure to share it with this year’s Isuzu Trucks Dealer of the Year. Congratulations to Ian and his team and I hope there’s some room left in the trophy cabinet.” Outgoing IAL Director and Chief Executive Officer, Phil Taylor, congratulated the winners in what was his last appearance at a national dealer meeting function. “These gatherings are important and serve as a fantastic opportunity to celebrate our collective efforts each year. “I’m very proud of the achievements of our dealer network. They are at the coalface every day, and it’s their professionalism and dedication to the brand that ensures our success year after year. “Congratulations to Ian Deacon and the team at Ballarat Isuzu for their remarkable contribution throughout 2018 and we look forward to watching all of our dealers go from strength to strength in 2019.” From Left to Right: Mr Matt Coombes, Branch Manager, Peel Valley Machinery - Tamworth, Mr Paul Evans, Business Planning Manager & Company Secretary, IAL and Mr John Plunkett, National Parts Manager, IAL. IAL Business Planning Manager and Company Secretary, Paul Evans, added his congratulations to all the winners. “As we all know, the Australian truck market is highly competitive, so to stay at the top requires outstanding effort from our people across the network, which is what these awards ultimately represent,” Mr Evans said. “To be the number one truck brand in Australia is a privilege we all have to work hard to maintain and it’s fantastic to recognise and celebrate the great work going on throughout our dealer network.”