10:25 am, January 21, 2012
PRE-registration for the 2012 Motor Codes Garage of the Year competition, brought to you by Havoline, is now open.
The free-to-enter competition is open to all service and repair centres – franchised and independent, large and small – aiming to find UK motorists’ favourite garage – and voting starts February 24.
Motor Codes, the self-regulatory body that operates OFT-backed codes of practice for more than 6,500 service and repair centres, will be opening the competition to the public for voting next month, but garages can download promotional marketing tools now at www.motorcodes.co.uk.
Now an annual initiative, the competition benefits from a number of enhancements for 2012, including the addition of Havoline as sponsor and the introduction of separate award streams for large (more than 10 employees) and small garages, reflecting the diverse nature of the industry.
Voted for entirely by customers, the contest will pick out the UK’s top 100 garages, 50 big and 50 small businesses, highlighting regional champions and, ultimately, the Motor Codes Garages of the Year.
The aim is to help motorists identify reputable outfits, cutting out the worry for people when choosing where to trust their car and hard-earned cash and, ultimately, boost business for Motor Codes subscribers.
Motor Codes’ managing director, Chris Mason, said: ‘Since the last competition, we have received fantastic feedback from many garages about the increased business the campaign has driven. The support from Havoline and the broader award categories will help us make an even bigger impression on the public about the quality of service from Motor Codes garages.’
As well as the chance to generate some fantastic local PR, there is a prize fund on offer that includes Snap-on vouchers, Land Rover and Porsche driving experiences. As an incentive to customers for taking the time to vote, tickets for this year’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone are up for grabs.
Motor Codes has made available a suite of marketing materials, supporting the competition, which are available for download at www.motorcodes.co.uk.
All Motor Codes subscribers are automatically registered to take part but non-members who are confident in their levels of customer service can sign-up at www.motorcodes.co.uk.
Voting opens on February 24, via the Motor Codes website, with the top 100 due to be shortlisted at the beginning of April. Voting will then continue to find regional champions, with the overall Garages of the Year announcement made in May.
