A Listers Group dealership has topped the awards for the best site in the Volkswagen network.

The manufacturer has recognised the success of its top 50 retailers in 2013 with Listers Volkswagen (Evesham) topping the league of 207 outlets, while Isaac Agnew clinched the number one group partner title.

The rankings are based on the results of the ‘one business scorecard’, which tracks retailers’ performance across all areas of their business.  Sales performance, customer satisfaction and profitability from the key departments are all covered as is the vital ingredient of people development.

Ian Plummer, head of sales operations for Volkswagen UK, said: ‘We have undergone a lot of changes in our network during 2013, with many new initiatives, new buildings and new challenges. 

"Throughout this time our retailers have worked hard to develop their businesses and establish a sustainable platform on which future success can be built.  We’ve had a very successful year and are delighted to be celebrating the contribution that our top partners and Retailers have made to our business and their customers.’

Summing up Listers’ achievements, he said: "Evesham has had an exciting and chaotic year in 2013 with the site undergoing a total redevelopment.  Throughout this time the team have worked closely together to stay focussed both on the performance of the business and ensuring that customers visiting have a fantastic experience – even when they have to visit in wellies.  This team spirit has kept Evesham in the top three for three consecutive years now – an outstanding achievement."

Top 10 VW retailers:

1. Listers Volkswagen (Evesham)
2. Inchcape Volkswagen Chester
3. Lancaster Volkswagen Harlow
4. South Hereford Garages (Hereford)
5. Benfield (Hexham)
6. Benfield Volkswagen (Silverlink)
7. Inchcape Volkswagen Bolton
8. Barnetts Volkswagen (Dundee)
9. Des Winks (Scarborough)
10. White Rose Volkswagen (Keighley)

Also rewarded were Volkswagen’s top group partners, with Isaac Agnew, which has two retailers in Northern Ireland (in Belfast and Newtownabbey), clinching the title for 2013. 

"Agnews Belfast sits in the city's motor trade hub making it a fiercely competitive place to attract and keep customers.  Through well organised and dedicated teams across the retailer they work extremely hard to achieve excellence, which is reflected in the consistently high performance through 2013.  A result to be truly proud of." 

In second and third place in this category was Listers which has seven Volkswagen outlets located between Banbury and Nuneaton, and Peter Cooper which has four in the West Sussex and Hampshire area.

Volkswagen is in the process of updating its showrooms across the UK. Included within these projects are a number of relocations to new, purpose-built sites designed to improve customer experience. Almost half of VW's retailers have completed their revisions and are ready as so-called ‘destination sites’ taking customers from web browsing to showroom pick-up and beyond.

Picture caption: From left, Ian Plummer, head of sales operations, Volkswagen UK), David Westwood, of Listers (Evesham), Robert Hazelwood, director of Volkswagen UK, and Stephen Butt, head of service and parts operations, Volkswagen UK