12:00 pm, July 14, 2026
First impressions count for a lot in the motor trade.
Whether it’s preparing a car for the forecourt or delivering it to a customer, dealers need products they can rely on to keep vehicles looking their very best.
This year’s highly commended awards go to Autosmart and Adam’s.
Taking the title for the 11th consecutive year is Autoglym, with dealers praising the firm’s innovative and quality products and outstanding dealer support.
Speaking to Car Dealer, head of sales Mark Docherty said the award was one the company never takes for granted.
‘It really is wonderful,’ he said. ‘It’s something that we never take for granted. We do get a bit nervous at this time of year.
‘As each year goes on, the expectation and the anticipation grows even more. We feel it’s kind of ours to defend now.
‘The whole team’s delighted.
‘One of my favourite jobs around this time of year is to send out the email to the team and say, “Great news, we’ve been lucky enough to win this award again”.
‘It’s a reinforcement that what we’re doing for our customers is the right thing and that’s cutting through and it’s reflected in the votes.’
Autoglym’s latest success comes as the company celebrates more than 60 years supplying the motor trade, having originally been founded to serve car dealers.
‘It’s a really long stint now,’ Docherty said of the company’s winning run.
‘We are really overwhelmed. It is such an honour, really.
‘It just really lets us know that we are consistently delivering the products and services that improve dealers’ lives.
‘We started off supplying only car dealers. That’s where Autoglym began 60 years ago.
‘I would hope after all that time we would know what we’re doing and we know the sort of things that help turn cars fast and help make people’s lives easier.
‘But it’s good to see over the last decade that we haven’t lost our way and that dealers are coming on that journey with us.’
Docherty believes vehicle preparation remains one of the most important – but often overlooked – parts of the retail process.
‘I think sometimes car prep can be overlooked,” he said. ‘It can fall to the bottom of the task list.
‘However, if you put yourself in the shoes of somebody walking onto that forecourt, all of that hard work of getting them through social media and getting them to come in is one thing.
‘But the minute they see the vehicles, that’s where it really comes to life for them.
‘That’s when they see themselves in that car. That’s when they see themselves driving away. That’s when they fall in love with it.’
He also paid tribute to the dealership valeters who help create those all-important first impressions.
‘There’s a lot of unsung heroes in the car dealer world,’ he said.
‘The guys and girls out there polishing cars and making sure they look amazing.
‘It’s something we take immense pride in when we walk onto very big lots or very small lots and see how well our products are put to use to make pre-owned and brand-new cars look their very best.’
While the business has enjoyed another year of success, Docherty said innovation remains central to Autoglym’s future.
‘We have a number of sessions throughout the year where we get a sneak preview of what’s coming down the track in terms of chemical innovation, accessory innovation or just anything that our lab team have been playing around with,’ he said.
‘Not everything comes out. Not everything’s a winner.
‘You’ve got to get some things wrong in order to get some other things right.
‘But that is a really big part of Autoglym’s process and what keeps us at the forefront of our industry.’
Although keeping details under wraps, Docherty hinted there was plenty more to come.
‘There’s some exciting things coming,’ he said.
‘The next 12 to 18 months are going to be really exciting for Autoglym in a really, really big way.’
- W: autoglym.com
- T: 01462 677766
