Suzuki GB has named Tracks of Exeter as its national dealer of the year 2021 at its national dealer conference in Manchester.

Cropleys of Boston was also awarded for Best Customer Experience at the event, with five other franchisees handed regional dealer awards and C&M McDonald of Kintore, Aberdeenshire, named regional dealer of the year.

Suzuki’s regional dealer of the year award winners were Luscombe Suzuki Leeds, Ipswich Suzuki, Cumbria Suzuki, TW White & Sons (Surrey) and Tracks of Exeter.

Dale Wyatt, director of automobile at Suzuki GB, said: “It is an honour to recognise the   achievements of our network over the last 12 months which this year was even more important due to market conditions and the heavy restrictions we are currently experiencing.

“We would like to congratulate all our award winners, they have shown exemplary standards of work and customer service, and without them, we would not be in the strong position that we find ourselves in today as we head into a new year and our new vision for the future.

“Congratulations, and we look forward to enjoying further success and another formal celebration together in 2022.”

AM reported last week that Suzuki GB director of Automobile, Dale Wyatt, had used the conference to launch the brand’s new stratgey and 3-2-1 KPIs, which target 3% return on sales, 2% market share and a number one rating for trust.

He also used the event to reassert his opposition for the agency model in franchised car retail, stating: “Any manufacturer that thinks it can simply become a dealer overnight is in for a shock.”

In November AM interview Wyatt about measures taken by Suzuki GB to mitigate against the impact of new vehicle supply shortages across the globe.

He said that his decision to import 4,000 cars to the UK without infotainment systems - which incorporate sat-nav and vehicle sound systems - and source his own solution locally, would now bear fruit.

Retailers will begin to receive the now complete new vehicles within weeks, he said.

Franchisees can also look forward to the arrival of the new S-Cross SUV, which was launched to the UK press this week, ahead of its arrival in dealerships next month.