The ten best car dealerships in Germany have been chosen. The editorial teams of the trade journals "kfz-betrieb" and "Gebrauchtwagen Praxis" have presented the Germany-wide, neutral and cross-brand "kfz-betrieb" Sales Award 2011. The award ceremony with more than 150 industry experts from trade, commerce and industry took place for the first time at the Vogel Convention Center in Würzburg. First place went to "Hermann - Haus der Automobile" from Northeim.
The two established trade magazines "kfz-betrieb" and "Gebrauchtwagen Praxis", together with the sponsoring partners CarGarantie and Santander Consumer Bank, have thus selected the ten most innovative sales professionals in the motor vehicle trade. 230 companies took part in the cross-brand, Germany-wide competition.
"Each of the participating companies presented themselves very well and it was once again very difficult for the jury to determine the final ranking this year," says "kfz-betrieb" editor-in-chief Wolfgang Michel.
The representatives of the manufacturers and importers were also impressed by the achievements of their sales partners. Daniel Bartos (Mercedes-Benz Sales Germany) and Hermann Schmitt (Skoda Auto Germany) congratulated the companies for their outstanding achievements. Reinhard Zirpel (Renault Germany) expressed his thanks to the first-placed dealership Hermann: "They combine three positive characteristics: loyalty to the manufacturer, the ability to give constructive criticism and tireless entrepreneurial optimism."
ZDK President Robert Rademacher also praised the commitment of the participating companies: "Good examples have never been as valuable as they are today", and congratulated the award winners on behalf of the German motor vehicle trade.
The highlight of the event was the keynote speech on "Social media in the automotive trade" by topic expert Frank Mühlenbeck. The new Internet age Web 2.0 with its blogs, communities and video platforms has brought about a real structural change in the entire media world, according to the management consultant (Brain Injection/Cologne). The vehicle trade could also benefit from the change in communication with customers. "Social media is all about people and their urge to present themselves on the Internet and express their opinions," says Mühlenbeck.
The winners of the "kfz-betrieb" Sales Award 2011:
1st place: Hermann GmbH from Northeim
2nd place: Auto-Scholz-AVS GmbH & Co. KG from Sulza
3rd place: J.H. Auto(h)aus Europa GmbH from Berlin
3rd place: Jürgens GmbH from Hagen
5th place: May & Olde GmbH from Halstenbek
6th place: Fahrzeug-Werke LUEG AG from Essen
7th place: Autohaus Schober GmbH & Co. KG from Velden
8th place: Autohandelsgesellschaft mbH Georg Rittersbacher from Kaiserslautern
9th place: Autohaus Heinrich Rosier GmbH & Co. from Menden
10th place: Autohaus Oppel GmbH from Ansbach
The prize money for the top three is 2,500 euros, 1,250 euros and 750 euros.
"kfz-betrieb" is the most widely read trade magazine in the automotive industry and has been informing the automotive trade and service sector for 100 years. "kfz-betrieb" is the official organ of the German Motor Trade (ZDK), the professional lobby for around 38,000 car dealerships and workshops. Daily news from the entire automotive industry is available at http://www.kfz-betrieb.vogel.de/ and in the daily newsletter. The parent company Vogel Business Media is one of the leading German providers of specialist information with around 100 trade journals and 60 websites as well as numerous international activities. Its headquarters are in Würzburg. The company celebrates its 120th anniversary in 2011
