Mini UK has named Inchcape Chelmsford as its best-performing dealership in 2021, at the virtual Mini Retailer Awards event.

The headline trophy was awarded to Inchcape Chelmsford for its “top performance” across eight key areas, including Retail Sales, for which the site was also the category winner.

Other categories and their winners included Dick Lovett Hungerford for Mini Electric, Berry Croydon for Used Cars and Cotswold Cheltenham for both Customer Service and Financial Services.

David George, director UK and Ireland at Mini UK, said: “As we begin 2022, it’s important for us to look back and recognise our retailers’ outstanding achievements in 2021. Once again, in the face of numerous challenges, our network partners showed determination, resilience and absolute passion for the Mini brand. Their energy made the Mini Hatch the third-highest selling car in the UK last year, helped by strong ongoing demand for the Mini Electric.”

Glen Berry, head of business at Inchcape Chelmsford Mini, added: “What an incredible achievement for Inchape Chelmsford to win MINI Retailer of the Year 2021 and the Retail Sales category. The passion and loyalty for the MINI brand means the competition in our network is extremely high, so I am immensely proud of the entire team who have worked relentlessly throughout 2021 to achieve excellence for our customers.”

AM awarded the aftersales team at Sytner Group’s Harold Wood BMW/Mini dealership at Harold Wood the Best Aftersales Team trophy at the 2021 AM Awards.

Mini Retailer Awards winners:

• Retailer of the Year - Inchcape Chelmsford
• Retail Sales - Inchcape Chelmsford
• Corporate Sales - Peter Vardy
• Used Cars - Berry Croydon
• Customer Service - Cotswold Cheltenham
• Financial Services - Cotswold Cheltenham
• Aftersales - JKC Specialist Cars
• Marketing - Lloyd Motor Group
• Mini Electric - Dick Lovett Hungerford

Mini achieved 45,756 registrations in 2021, a drop of 0.7% on 2020, in a year when new car registrations rose just 1%.

In May, the BMW Group brand was forced to temporarily close its Plant Oxford Mini production line as a result of the global shortage of semiconductor microchips.