Toyota New Zealand CEO, Alistair Davis (left) pictured with Tony Bowater, CEO of Bowater Toyota, holding the Dealer of the Year cup.

Bowater Toyota has been announced the 2015 Toyota Dealer of the Year at the annual Toyota Dealer Awards ceremony in Nelson over the weekend. This is the 2nd year in a row that the dealership has won the coveted award for overall excellence in all aspects of dealership operations.

Toyota New Zealand has been hosting a Dealership Awards ceremony for more than 30 years to recognise the continuous commitment and high level of performance that Toyota dealerships deliver, with this year’s celebrations also marking Toyota’s 50 year journey in New Zealand.

Bowater Toyota - which operates in Nelson, Richmond and Motueka - claimed the top award over fellow finalists Wanganui Toyota and Manawatu Toyota.

The company’s CEO, Tony Bowater, believes the award reflects the Bowater Toyota team’s collective understanding of their objectives and ability to stay focused and motivate one another to achieve.
“I am very proud of our team and humbled to receive this recognition on their behalf,” says Bowater.

“They have maintained focus in knowing what our expectations and goals are; to support and assist our customers, ensuring they receive the best service and reward us with a smile.

“To be recognised as Dealer of the Year, back to back, for a network as successful as Toyota is massive, it shows just how good our team is. For us, it is like winning the World Cup.”

Tony Bowater (centre) on stage to collect the Dealer of the Year trophy for 2015. Click to enlarge.  
It has been a huge year for Bowater Toyota.

Imagine the surprise felt by all at the Bowater Toyota table when Tony Bowater got the call to stage as winner of the 2015 Toyota Dealer of the Year at the annual awards held on Friday 19th February in Nelson at the Rutherford Hotel.

The surprise was justified. As reigning Dealer of the Year and current holders of the much coveted Yokoi Cup there was no expectation that the Bowater Toyota team COULD win it again, but there it was, on the big screen! Bowater Motor Group chairman Rodney Bowater and his wife Helen were lucky enough to be at the table as well, and could not help but be filled with pride. Imagine that. Toyota Dealer of the Year two years running, and awarded the prestigious title in our home town!

Being the reigning trophy holders as last years Toyota Dealer Of the Year there came with it a hefty responsibility and an obligation to perform as champions. At our celebration dinner last year we heard from 3 time Adventure Racing World Champion Nathan Fa'avae on what it takes to carry the mantle of World Champion and convert that pride and excitement into a motivation to built on the successful practises that got you there in the first place, so that you could better your performance and remain at the top of your game. This attitude to success has certainly paid off in a big way. 

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