Volvo Dealer Of The Year Fights Back From Hail Damage To Take Top Award

SYDNEY – February 24, 2011: Despite the severe business implications of a hail storm in Perth early last year, Premier Motors in Western Australia has been awarded the 2010 Volvo Car Australia Dealer of the Year award.

In addition to the top award, Premier Motors was also awarded Volvo Insurance Dealer of the Year and After Sales Dealer of the Year making it a hat trick for the evening.

The Dealer of the Year Award recognises the dealership that has consistently achieved the highest standards. Outstanding customer service, professionalism and all-round performance across 13 key criteria underpin the prestigious award.

``To win the Dealer of the Year Award is a great achievement for any member of the Volvo Cars dealer network but for Premier Motors to come back from such a horror start to 2010 really is exceptional," said Alan Desselss, managing director of Volvo Car Australia.

"Premier Motors worked extremely hard to make up lost ground following the severe impact of March's hail damage. A great job from a great team,'' he added.

Mr Desselss and Volvo ambassador, Pia Miller, presented the Dealer of the Year Award to Premier Motors' dealer principal, Rob Webster, at an exclusive awards dinner at the Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney.

`We are absolutely delighted to have been acknowledged as Volvo's 2010 Dealer of the Year," said Mr Webster.

"It is testament to the hard work and dedication shown by each and every member of the Premier Motors team who worked tirelessly to make up lost ground following the severe impact of the hail storm on the business.

``We have been with the Volvo brand for over 32 years and this award is most certainly a highlight of that long association," added Mr Webster.

Alan McKay Autos located in Moss Vale, NSW won the highest PMA Market Share Award while Melbourne City Volvo was once again awarded for the Highest Retail Sale Volume.

While many importers struggled to increase sales last year, Volvo continued its success, posting a 5.9 per cent increase year-on-year.

Once again, Volvo products were also awarded in 2010. The Volvo XC60 D5 scooped Fairfax media's Drive Car of the Year award for `Best SUV over $40,000' for the second year in a row, eclipsing newer rivals.

The Pedestrian Detection system featured on the all-new Volvo S60 won the Drive Safety Innovation Award, which was last year awarded to the Volvo XC60's City Safety system, further cementing Volvo position as a leader in automotive safety.