Northern Ireland car dealer John Mulholland Motor Group has been named as Škoda’s Retailer of the Year 2017 during an event held in Budapest.

The group, which operates at Randalstown, Antrim and Campsie, Londonderry, emerged victorious from an event which saw retailers from across the UK gain recognition for their performance throughout the year.

Also among the awards on the night were: Pulman Škoda, new vehicle sales; Telford Škoda, fleet sales; DM Keith Škoda (Hull), customer retention; RRG Škoda, service and parts; Marshall Škoda (Newbury), Škoda finance; Citygate Škoda (Watford), used vehicle sales; and Allams of Epsom, marketing.

Attendees from Yorkshire-based DM Keith were “thrilled” with their night in Budapest.

DM Keith’s Hull Škoda dealer principal, David Hoggart, said that was “over the moon” to receive the top accolade for customer care, adding: “I’m immensely proud of my team, who live and breathe customer care. It’s the culture throughout the company and to be recognised as the best in the UK for Škoda Customer Satisfaction is a huge accolade to all their hard work and commitment.”

DM Keith’s Julia Pank also emerged as winner of the Škoda Service Advisor award, having only been with the group for 13 months.

She will now compete on an international level to see who will be crowned the International Škoda Service Advisor of the Year. Pank said: “Taking home the award for The Number 1 Service Advisor for Škoda 2016 has blown me away.

“It is an amazing feeling to be recognised by Škoda for the job I do.”