9:09 am, September 22, 2008
FORD Chairman Lewis Booth has been doling out the awards to British dealers.
Staff at three Ford retailers have been honoured for sterling customer service.
Bridgewater Ford, Taunton Ford and Yeovil Ford have all been given the highly prestigious Chairman’s Award – something only a handful of dealers Europe-wide ever receive.
The Somerset dealers are part of the Foray Motor Group. Dealer principal Chris Yoxon, MD of Foray, said the award from Booth came as a result of the retailers’ breadth. Staff scored highly across all the dealerships’ activities, rather than in just one area.
‘Virtually everyone involved in a car dealership has public contact, so it’s a mark of the high standards of all the people we employ that we have received this award,’ he said.
‘No one person stands out in this, so every individual in the 103 staff working for us in Somerset is getting the same recognition. We may be a large chain, but we retain the essential attitude of a small, friendly family business.
The significance of the victory wasn’t lost on him. ‘The motor industry frequently suffers a bad press but the Chairman’s Award clearly demonstrates that we are better than many of the rest.
‘This is a time when all car dealers are competing against one another in a very tough market, but Foray customers in Bridgwater, Taunton, and Yeovil can be assured we will always look after them as our first priority. Ultimately, they are what drives our business.’
