The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce has applauded the best in the business at its VACC Industry Awards.
The 2018 gala was held on Saturday night at Crown Promenade where Frankston Toyota was crowned the best new car dealer of the year, as well as the best general large business.
Melbourne’s Cheapest Cars in Moorabbin was awarded the best large used car dealer of the year, while the best small used car dealer title went to Boulevard Motors in Wodonga.
A large business is defined as seven-plus employees; small is six or less employees.
Victoria’s top large motorcycle dealer went to A1 motorcycles in Ringwood, while at the opposite end of the scale, Lilydale’s Agpower & Transport was the best large farm machinery dealer, after Hallam Truck Centre in Hallam awarded the best large commercial vehicle dealer.
In the best aftermarket and retail category, Tyrepower Werribee was the best small business (as well as top small tyre retailer), and Roe Motorcycle and Mower won in the large business category. Regional Tyre Service in Bacchus Marsh was also acknowledged as top large tyre retailer.
Sheen Panel Service in Bayswater and Bulleen took a dual-title of best large body repairer, as Essendon Panels won the small award.
Other categories included mechanical repairers: large metro was Frankston Toyota again, small metro was Berwick Auto Electrical & Mechanical; as well as the best regional small which was Drive Safe Service Centre in North Geelong, plus regional large which was Always There Automotive in Grovedale, south of central Geelong.
Towing operators were also recognised for their crucial link in the supply chain of vehicles to workshops, with awards for best statewide trade towing and best regional accident towing going to Complete Body Croft based in wine-region Rutherglen.
The top parts and components manufacturer title went to Franks Engineering in Melbourne’s Coburg North, while the best small service station operations were jointly awarded and juxtaposed – Caltex Star Mart in Albert Park and Diamond Creek Self Service on the far north-east outskirts of Melbourne.
The new category of of unsung heroes went to Anne Beck from the aforementioned Berwick Auto Electrics & Mechanical, Bruce Parker from HM GEM Engines in Dandenong and Stuart Wishart from Wishart Auto Tech in Kensington.
The woman unsung hero in small business award was also bestowed on Rebecca Lewis from Ballarat Car Sales.
In the vehicle restoration business the award for best overal restoration project went to Beverford Motors north of Swan Hill on the Vic/NSW border, the best body restoration went to CAARS Smash Repairs in Swan Hill, and the best mechanical restoration went to Up The Creek Workshop in Castlemaine.
VACC executive director Geoff Gwilym says it was a night to celebrate the top performers in Victoria’s highly skilled automotive industry with record numbers of applications and nominations.
“High standards are important to the automotive industry, so the VACC Industry Awards were initiated to recognise and promote those businesses who reach high, and attain and sustain business excellence,” he says.
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