12:29 pm, December 17, 2025
In today’s world of omnichannel used car sales, a good social media strategy is crucial if you want to connect with as many potential customers as possible.
As this fact continues to dawn on more and more dealers, our Social Media User of the Year gong has become one of the toughest-fought categories at recent editions of the Used Car Awards.
This year the prize went to Acklam Cars, which saw off strong competition from highly commended firms Carbase and Greg Mitchell Motors.
The Middlesbrough-based business impressed our mystery shoppers by consistently delivering brilliant updates, including engaging videos on a range of social platforms produced by a variety of its team members.
The outfit previously won this award back in 2023 and has also collected our Use of Video prize in years gone by.
Reacting to the latest win, Liam Martin, head of sales at Acklam Cars, said: ‘Social media is massive for us and it’s probably been the pinnacle of our business.
‘As Mike Brewer said during the ceremony – we are what people are striving for and we will continue to do that.
‘I think the world has changed in every industry really and if you can be the best on social media I think it is massive for your business.’
It was another successful year for Acklam, with the firm also coming out on top in the Days to Turn category, which recognises the businesses which are best at quickly getting cars off the forecourt.
On hand to congratulate the firm after the ceremony was Car Dealer’s editor-in-chief, James Baggott, who said: ‘The Acklam Cars team had a tremendous night at our Used Car Awards and their successes are well deserved. Many congratulations.’
Used Car Awards host, and Mr Wheeler Dealer himself, Mike Brewer added: ‘Very well done to Acklam Cars.
‘A fast-moving and efficient sales operation is crucial to the success of any dealership and the Acklam Cars team don’t hang about!
‘It is great to see them recognising the importance of social media and video work too – efforts in those areas can really help take a business to the next level.’
