Mitsubishi Motors NZ’s annual Diamond Dealer awards night enjoyed added brilliance this year, as the network celebrated its highest-performing dealerships from the hard-fought position of the country’s leading new vehicle brand.
Goals accomplished. Records smashed. Growth sustained. It has been an excellent 16 months for Mitsubishi Motors NZ, with 23,665 vehicle sales for the 2022 financial year and a lead of more than 2,000 sales four months into the new cycle.
MMNZ’s FY2022 performance represented an 82.9% increase from the modern-day high of 12,954 units set in FY2019. The year ended with an unprecedented 3,566 sales in March, led by a record-breaking 2,266 Triton utes – a 105% year-on-year increase from March 2021 (1,737 units). Mitsubishi is also the leading Plug-in Hybrid SUV brand in the country.
Critical to the success of the three-diamond brand has been the efforts of its 59-strong dealer network. Those who shined brightest earned the title of Diamond Dealer at a black-tie event at the Hilton in Taupo on 22 July.
MMNZ chief operating officer Daniel Cook said: “We have been bold and positive in our approach to market and our outstanding dealer network has truly risen to the challenge.
“Our success comes from hard work, commitment and consistency across every aspect of what we do as a team. That is what our dealers deliver day in, day out, and is the reason we are currently No.1 and hold the title of Canstar Most Satisfied Customers 2021.
“We are extremely proud of all our dealers, and we rightly celebrate their achievements through our awards night. This is not just a chance for a pat on the back, it is an opportunity to inspire our team to even greater heights.
“The mix of first-time and returning winners demonstrates the strength in depth of our network and the desire to be the best that motivates us all.”
The winners are: Ingham Mitsubishi Te Awamutu, Piako Mitsubishi Te Aroha, Bay City Mitsubishi (Tauranga), Christchurch Mitsubishi, Piako Mitsubishi Morrinsville, WR Phillips Mitsubishi (New Plymouth), Brendan Foot Mitsubishi (Lower Hutt), Wairarapa Mitsubishi, Baigent Motors (Matamata).
Piako Mitsubishi Morrinsville was also crowned the Supreme Diamond Dealer – this is the first time the award has been given, reflecting the amazing growth both Mitsubishi Motors and Piako Mitsubishi have experienced.
Ingham Mitsubishi Te Awamutu – Stefan and Kathleen Cooper
Stefan and Kathleen Cooper absolutely smashed it to become first-time winners, lifting their sales by an incredible 108% and scoring the network’s second-best service customer service index (CSI) – all while installing a fresh visual identity at their dealership.
The hard-working team from the rose capital of New Zealand can now allow themselves to stop and smell the local flora.
Piako Mitsubishi Te Aroha – Jono and Amiee Taffe
This Te Aroha husband and wife team is another first-time Diamond Dealer – the highest performers in their group and second highest across the entire network.
Jono and Amiee have also excelled across customer service, parts sales and accessory sales.
Bay City Mitsubishi (Tauranga) – Aaron and Angela Chatfield
It’s ninth time in a row and 12th overall for Tauranga’s consistently high achievers. Strong sales backed up by excellent customer service underpin this team’s stellar results.
Christchurch Mitsubishi – Matt and Nicola Barr
Matt and Nicola Barr put in a phenomenal effort throughout the financial year and ended the period with an average of four vehicle sales a day. They also built and opened a second dealership in Rangiora to service a wider customer base amid surging demand.
Piako Mitsubishi Morrinsville – Darrell and Catherine Russell
Darrell and Catherine Russell are 13 carat Diamond Dealers, having won more awards than any other dealership in the network. This marks their 13th trophy on the back of a Top 10 national result for a town of just 11,000.
The Russells also walked away with the Supreme Award in recognition of the highest points scored overall in the Diamond Dealer competition.
WR Phillips Mitsubishi (New Plymouth) – Paul and Julia Phillips
Paul and Julia Phillips have gone back-to-back with their second win. The dealership performed strongly across the board and is well known throughout Taranaki for its incredibly welcoming team.
Brendan Foot Mitsubishi (Lower Hutt) – Dave and Emma Foot
Brendan Foot is another dealership to go back-to-back. This PHEV powerhouse recorded a phenomenal result last quarter, with 40% of its volume being made up of PHEV models.
The hard work has really paid dividends for Dave and Emma this year.
Wairarapa Mitsubishi – Brent and Tracey Cooper
These small-town heroes topped the local sales charts after undertaking a major store renovation. The new look has proved to be a big hit with locals, as has the dedicated customer care of its team.
Baigent Motors (Matamata) – Justin and Catherine Scelly
Justin and Catherine are another consistently high-performing team and true parts and service champions. With seven Diamond Dealer awards in a row, the pair really know their stuff – to their customers’ advantage. Their aftersales expertise also saw them walk away with the awards for Parts Excellence.
Top New Vehicle Sales
Group 1: Andrew Simms Mitsubishi – Newmarket.
Group 2: Brendan Foot Mitsubishi.
Group 3: Piako Mitsubishi Morrinsville.
Top Market Share
Group 1: West City Mitsubishi.
Group 2: Piako Mitsubishi Rotorua.
Group 3: Archibald Motors Kaitaia.
Overall Service Excellence
Simon Lucas Mitsubishi.
Overall Parts Excellence award
Baigent Motors Ltd.
Excellence in Customer Service
Group 1: Stephen Duff Mitsubishi.
Group 2: Piako Mitsubishi Rotorua.
Group 3: Saunders Mitsubishi.
PSD: Baigent Motors.
Managing Director’s Award
Southern Lakes Mitsubishi.