HIGH ACCOLADES AT ISUZU DEALER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

The finish of a tumultuous 2021 saw Isuzu Trucks retaining steady position as Australia’s top selling truck brand, an accomplishment made possible by the hard work of their nationwide dealer network. With an unwavering commitment to its loyal customer base, Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) has achieved a ground-breaking 33 consecutive years of truck market leadership. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot5jFlMSBtI[/embed] Acknowledging the efforts of dealerships across the country in this endeavour, Isuzu’s National Dealer of the Year Award recognises excellence in customer support and performance across all facets of the business including Sales, Service and Parts. Achieving the top gong is no easy feat, with IAL’s dealer network—one of Australia’s largest and most competitive—featuring more than 70 locations nationwide.

And the winner is…

Off the back of a trying year full of COVID-19 challenges to overcome, the 2021 National Dealer of the Year Award has special significance for Isuzu, as the brand also celebrates its 50^th year milestone of selling trucks in Australia. Proving an exceptional performance record and having achieved pole position for three years running (as joint winner in 2020 and winner in 2019), came South West Isuzu(WA) as 2021 National Dealer of the Year.

  Grinners: The team at South West Isuzu celebrate taking out top spot for the second year running.

But that’s not all—the dealership also managed to take out the Service Dealer of the Year Award for the third year in a row, adding another notch to their long history as a top Isuzu dealership. IAL Director and Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Harbison, congratulated South West Isuzu on an outstanding effort. “It’s an honour to present our National Dealer of the Year Award to South West Isuzu again this year,” said Mr Harbison. “To be recognised as a high performing Isuzu Trucks dealership, but also as Dealer of the Year and our Service Dealer of the Year for three consecutive years is an achievement like no other. “Our congratulations on a fantastic result, particularly during what was not an easy operating climate in Western Australia last year.”

Winners are grinners

Accepting the award with smiles all round, South West Isuzu Dealer Principal, Darren Sprigg, was wrapped with his team’s achievement. “I’m very happy to receive this award on behalf of South West Isuzu. It’s a great honour, particularly for the team here who deserve all the accolades on winning the award again. “It’s always a close result between dealers competing in this program, so our congratulations also to Ballarat, Peel Valley and Gippsland Truck Centre on their Sales and Parts achievements—I hope everyone enjoys and appreciates this award as we do here at South West Isuzu. “Although it was challenging doing business in many respects, and stock was always an issue during 2021, we had contingencies in place and were able to deliver well for our customers throughout the year,” Mr Sprigg continued.

South West Isuzu also took out Service Dealer of the Year in 2021.

“Despite the challenges, the market seems to be going from strength to strength for us here in Western Australia and for Isuzu nationally—it does feel good to be in the position of leading in Australia’s competitive truck segment. “I always say you need a bit of luck in life and to win something like this, I suppose we have been lucky three times now,” he added. “We are lucky with all the talented, reliable people we have working together, lucky to have our customers, and lucky to have a great field team from Isuzu here in Western Australia.”

Sales and Parts rewarded

For the 2021 Sales Dealer of the Year, Ballarat Isuzu (VIC) took home the award. No stranger to Isuzu’s Dealer of the Year program, the regional Victorian dealership has received a variety of prestigious awards from five of the past six years, including Dealer of the Year and Parts Dealer of the Year in 2020.

IAL Network Development Manager, Ben Lasry, with Ballarat Isuzu's Ian Deacon.

Joint winners Peel Valley Isuzu (NSW) and Gippsland Truck Centre (VIC) shared the coveted crown of Parts Dealer of the Year for 2021—a considerable achievement given local and international supply chain challenges. “To our Sales Dealer of the Year, Ballarat Isuzu, a warm thank you and well done on navigating what was an interesting year for truck sales in Australia,” Mr Harbison said. “To our joint Parts Dealer of the Year winners, Peel Valley Isuzu and Gippsland Truck Centre, your drive, innovation and commitment to customer service is appreciated by all here at IAL. “Congratulations on a job well done for all our winners.”

Hard work acknowledged

Adding his congratulations for the 2021 Dealer of the Year Award winners was IAL Head of Network Development, Ben Lasry. “To be ‘number one’ amongst the many other worthy Australian truck brands is a privilege we all work hard for here at Isuzu Trucks,” commented Mr Lasry. “Our annual Dealer of the Year Award provides us the opportunity to give back to our hard-working dealer network, who continue to support the brand with excellence in customer support, Sales, Parts and Service. “South West Isuzu, take a bow for an incredible effort! “My heartfelt congratulations to you and to all our winning dealerships, Ballarat Isuzu, Peel Valley Isuzu and Gippsland Truck Centre for taking home this year’s awards.”