12:31 pm, July 1, 2020
Our search for the best suppliers to do business with and the best car franchise to hold is on – and we need your help to find the winners of the Car Dealer Power Awards 2020.
This year we’ll be revealing the results of our annual survey digitally on this website for the first time – and voting opens today for you to give your honest feedback.
The Car Dealer Power Awards are the only ones in the industry voted for those that matter the most – you the dealers.
On the voting form – which will take just a few minutes to complete – you can tell us which suppliers you love doing business with and why.
Franchised dealers will also be asked to rate the manufacturers they represent in a variety of categories from how they support their dealer partners, their bonus structure and forward planning.
The car manufacturers take the results of our survey very seriously indeed and the anonymous survey is the only one voted for by car dealers.
Last year, Mazda took the number one spot as our Manufacturer of the Year to the delight of MD Jeremy Thomson.
After last year’s win, he said: ‘In uncertain times, it is only by working together that we can grow the brand, unlock profit potential and set the foundations for a stable and prosperous future – one that delivers an exceptional and premium customer experience to everyone.’
Mazda MD Jeremy Thomson and Car Dealer founder James Baggott
The manufacturer was over the moon with the number one spot, jumping 17 places to claim first, pushing serial award winner Kia into second and Hyundai into third.
Languishing at the bottom of the table and slammed for their poor bonus structure and used car management was Citroen, closely followed by Mitsubishi second from bottom and Renault third from bottom.
Voting will remain open until September 1 before our judges analyse the data and release a shortlist of contenders on September 7.
The winners will be revealed on this website at midday on September 30.
James Baggott, founder of Car Dealer Magazine, said: ‘I am delighted that we will be able to host the coveted Car Dealer Power Awards this year despite the pandemic. Events are still not possible so we will be hosting these online for the first time and I am very excited about doing so.
‘Car manufacturers and suppliers have worked with their partners like never before during the crisis, helping each other out with support and slashing costs. This sort of collaboration is what the automotive industry is built on and should be celebrated.
‘Car Dealer Magazine has witnessed some incredible things from manufacturers and suppliers this year as everyone has dug deep to help each other out – now more than ever is the time to celebrate that.’
Dealers are encouraged to fill out the survey and give feedback to the companies that have helped them out during this tough time.
On September 30, Car Dealer Magazine will reveal the winners in a special video awards presentation and the gongs will be delivered to the winners.
Award winners and highly commended firms will have the opportunity to highlight their special achievements in a dedicated Car Dealer Power section on this popular website. Full details of that will be revealed to the shortlisted contenders.
Car Dealer Power 2019 winners
Manufacturer of the Year
Winner: Mazda
Car of the Year
Winner: Suzuki Jimny
Cleaning Product of the Year
Winner: Autoglym
Highly commended: Autosmart; CarPlan
Recruitment Agency of the Year
Winner: Perfect Placement
Highly commended: Gibson Automotive Recruitment; Progress Recruitment Solutions
Trade-to-Trade Remarketer of the Year
Winner: Dealer Auction
Highly commended: Cartotrade.com; Sytner Web
Used Car Valuations Provider of the Year
Winner: Auto Trader
Highly commended: Cap HPI; Glass’s
Consumer Lead Generation Site of the Year
Winner: Codeweavers. Highly commended
Auto Trader; GForces & Gubagoo
Dealer Management System of the Year
Winner: Click Dealer
Highly commended: Dealerweb; Dragon2000
Website Provider for Independent Dealers
Winner: 67 Degrees
Highly commended: Car Dealer 5; Click Dealer
Website Provider for Franchised Dealers
Winner: GForces
Highly commended: Autoweb Design; Click Dealer
Provenance Check Provider of the Year
Winner: Cap HPI
Highly commended: Experian; MotorCheck
Warranty Provider of the Year
Winner: The WMS Group
Highly commended: Autoguard Warranties; AutoProtect
Paint Protection Provider of the Year
Winner: GardX
Highly commended: Diamondbrite; Supagard
Auction House of the Year
Winner: Manheim
Highly commended: Aston Barclay; BCA
Trade Insurance Provider of the Year
Winner: Unicom
Highly commended: Aston Lark; Plan Insurance Brokers
Online Advertiser for New Cars
Winner: What Car?
Highly commended: Auto Trader; Carwow
Online Advertiser for Used Cars
Winner: eBay
Highly commended: Auto Trader; Motors.co.uk
Finance Provider of the Year (Sub-Prime)
Winner: Blue Motor Finance
Highly commended: Evolution Motor Finance; First Response Finance
Finance Provider of the Year (Prime)
Winner: Close Brothers Motor Finance
Highly commended: Black Horse; Blue Motor Finance
Video Provider of the Year
Winner: CitNOW
Highly commended: AutosOnShow; GardX
Motor Factor of the Year
Winner: Motor Parts Direct
Highly commended: Dingbro; Euro Car Parts
Extra Mile Award
Winner: GForces
Product Innovation of the Year
Winner: Lawgistics for HR Manager
