Three Toyota retailers from the UK have received Ichiban Awards for excellence in customer service from Toyota Motor Europe.

The UK winners of the Ichiban Award - translated from Japanese as ‘number one’ - were Helensburgh Toyota in Scotland, Oakmere Toyota in Cheshire and Harry Feeney Toyota in Blackpool.

They were honoured, respectively, in the small, medium and large retailer categories.

Dr Johan van Zyl, President and chief executive of Toyota Motor Europe, said: “The customer is at the centre of all our key business decisions. Everyone gathered here today has demonstrated throughout Europe that ensuring complete customer satisfaction is pivotal.”

He praised the 45 award winners from across Europe at a ceremony in Evian, France, last week.

Gary Mulvaney, centre principal at Helensburgh Toyota, said: “Buying a car or even getting it serviced should be a genuinely good experience and we try to make it personal by knowing our customers and their individual needs. However this industry changes, from bricks to clicks, face to face to online, it will always be the warm, personal, people relationships that will make the best stand out from the rest.”

For Oakmere Toyota, the occasion marked an unprecedented fifth Ichiban award.

Managing director, Jonathan Jarratt, said: “Winning the Ichiban Award for a fifth time demonstrates the commitment and the consistency that all our staff show in putting the customer first in everything we do.

"Understanding how a delighted customer is central to a successful business is paramount in the way we handle every customer’s journey with us.”

Andrew Harrison, centre principal at Harry Feeney, said: “I am immensely proud of every member of the Harry Feeney team, who collectively share this award.

"Exceptional customer service is our leading priority and we are committed to delivering a fantastic customer experience, ensuring every one of our clients feels we have gone the extra mile to cater for their needs.

"This award is a testament to our team’s hard work and dedication. They are passionate in what they do and truly live the core values of the Toyota brand.”

More than 2,500 European retailers compete for the honour to be one of 45 Ichiban winners each year.