Highest Overall Ranking: Dealer Network 100 or less: Porsche Cars Canada Ltd.
(Left to right) Ron Loveys, Industry Relations Chairman, CADA Executive Committee, Whiteoak Ford Lincoln Sales Limited, Mississauga, ON; Joe Lawrence, President & CEO, Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd.; Harry Mertin, Industry Relations Committee, CADA Executive Committee, Mertin Automotive Group, Chilliwack, BC.
In conjunction with the CADA Summit this month, the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association also handed out 2012’s prestigious DSI Awards. These accolades are given out to manufacturers that have consistently ranked at the top in terms of satisfaction among their dealer networks during the course of the year. Considering the number of high ranking industry executives and dealers present at the CADA Summit, there could not have been a more fitting location for bestowing the 2012 DSI Awards.
Most Improved Franchise: Dealer Network Greater than 101: Honda Canada Inc.
(Left to right) Ron Loveys, Industry Relations Chairman, CADA Executive Committee, Whiteoak Ford Lincoln Sales Limited, Mississauga, ON ; Dave Gardner, Vice-President, Sales and Marketing, Honda Canada Inc.; Harry Mertin, Industry Relations Committee, CADA Executive Committee, Mertin Automotive Group, Chilliwack, BC.
Porsche Cars Canada Ltd, won the award for highest overall ranking in terms of a dealer network with less than 100 stores. Porsche also won an award for Most Effective Dealer/Manufacturer Communication, 100 stores or less. Having witnessed exponential sales increases last year, Porsche currently ranks as one of the fastest growing automotive brands in Canada.
Although 2011 proved a tough year for Honda Canada Inc., following the launch of the less than well received Civic and supply problems stemming from the natural disaster in Japan, the automaker saw huge gains in 2012 and at the DSI Awards this year, earned the title of Most Improved Franchise: Dealer Network greater than 101 stores.
Volkswagen Group Canada Inc., a DSI winner last year, received two awards this time out, One for the Highest Overall Ranking: Dealer Network greater than 101 stores and also Most Effective Dealer/Manufacturer Communication, for a network of more than 101 retail locations.
Highest Overall Ranking: Dealer Network Greater than 101: Volkswagen Group Canada Inc.
(Left to right): Ron Loveys, Industry Relations Chairman, CADA Executive Committee, Whiteoak Ford Lincoln Sales Limited, Mississauga, ON; John White, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group Canada Inc.; Harry Mertin, Industry Relations Committee, CADA Executive Committee, Mertin Automotive Group, Chilliwack, BC.
The annual CADA DSI Award winners are selected based on the results from CADA’s annual DSI Survey that goes out to dealer principals each Fall. The survey asks dealers questions related to the performance of their manufacturers in working with them in areas that include overall communication, ease of doing business, vehicle and parts deliveries, customer satisfaction policies and sales and service. Dealers also rate their operations’ success through questions related to franchise value changes.
CADA’s DSI Survey is a vital diagnostic tool for tracing and fixing faults that develop in the relationship between auto manufacturers and the dealers who represent them, something fully appreciated by both groups and which results in a strong and increasingly meaningful response each year.
“The survey has proven effective in monitoring this relationship, addressing issues that arise from it and providing solutions, often through direct CADA involvement,” says Tim Ryan, CADA’s Director, Industry Relations & General Counsel.
Ryan says the survey gets such a positive response because dealers are involved in a tough minded and competitive industry and are aware their links to their manufacturers must be watched and worked on diligently. “It should come as no surprise that companies that maintain good relations with their dealers are often found ranked near the top of the survey’s charts.”
