Despite some challenging times in 2014, the local Hyundai dealership in the Battlefords has received some positive recognition for their efforts.
North Battleford Hyundai was announced as a 2014 President’s Award of Merit winner. The President’s Award of Merit is awarded to the top 15 Hyundai dealerships across Canada, with Grimsby Hyundai gaining the top overall score.
Of the 15, North Battleford Hyundai is one of four Western Canada dealerships honoured, with the other three being based in British Columbia.
Usually it is the eastern dealerships that sweep the awards, according to Gord Pidde, general manager at North Battleford Hyundai.
To be one of the 15 national winners is “quite an honour,” he said.
North Battleford Hyundai received recognition in the “D” category based on the size of the dealership. There are 204 Hyundai stores across Canada, and North Battleford Hyundai competed with 61 other stores of like size in their category to attain the recognition.
The award is in recognition and appreciation of the outstanding work that their dealers have been doing, according to Hyundai’s announcement. The criteria is based on market share, new car sales, used car sales, certified pre-owned Hyundai sales, customer satisfaction ratings for both parts and service and the sales department, aged inventory and accessory sales. Points are awarded and at the end of the year the top 15 are selected based on that.
The honour is perhaps even more rewarding for North Battleford Hyundai due to some trying circumstances at their dealership last year.
A fire and smoke damage forced them to restore and replace the entire front end of their building. The dealership was forced to work out of trailers for a few months, and car sales were conducted out of the Credit Union CUplex for a time as well.
Pidde paid tribute to what he called the “great support” shown by customers in the Battlefords and area.
“We want to thank the Battlefords and area for helping us get there,” said Pidde. “We can’t do it without the customers.” He also paid credit to the staff for “doing an outstanding job.”
