Revealed: The 2020 AM Awards finalists and event preview

We’re delighted to announce the finalists for the 2020 AM Awards.

Our panel of eight judges (see bottom of this page), supported by dealer awards auditor BDO and digital award auditor Google, has spent days poring over the dozens of entry forms for each category and a full day debating the merits of each submission before logging their votes under the scrutiny of independent chairman Christopher Macgowan OBE.

The finalists below will learn which is the winner of each category at the AM Award gala dinner on February 13, held at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre (ICC).

In some very-closely contested categories the judges have decided to also award highly commended awards, which will also be announced on the evening.

Joining us on the night are BBC Breakfast TV star and One Show guest presenter Louise Minchin (right), our guest host for the awards.

The after-dinner entertainment will be provided by Emmy Award-winning comedian Rich Hall (pictured), star of TV’s Live At The Apollo, QI, Have I Got News For You and Never Mind The Buzzcocks.

Details on how to book tickets or tables for the event, which typically attracts around a thousand people from the UK's motor retail industry, are below.

Congratulations to all the entrants which have been selected as finalists.

Good luck!

Best Online Consumer Experience – sponsored by CarGurus

Finalists

Buyacar.co.uk

County Garage Ford

Rockar

Sandicliffe Motor Group

TrustFord

Best Aftersales Team – sponsored by GTechniq

Finalists

Hills Ford

Kinghams of Croydon

Mercedes-Benz of Preston (Marshall Motor Group)

Steven Eagell Toyota Chelmsford

Stafford Land Rover (Swansway Garages)

Best Sales Team – sponsored by Motorclean

Finalists

Cambridge Garage (Havant Volvo)

MB Motors

Most Improved Dealership – sponsored by BNP Paribas

Finalists

Cartime

Citygate Seat Reading

Just Nice Clean Cars

MB Motors

Best Used Car Dealership (independent non-franchised) – sponsored by Santander Consumer Finance

Finalists

Alexanders Prestige

AW Carhouse

Just Nice Clean Cars

MB Motors

Motonet.com

Best Used Car Dealership (franchised) - sponsored by 1link Trade Buyer

Finalists

Luscombe Leeds

Perrys Chesterfield FordStore

Vertu Honda Doncaster

Wrexham Volkswagen (Swansway Garages)

Best New Dealership – sponsored by RAPID RTC

Finalists

Johnsons Mazda Gloucester

Just Nice Clean Cars

Mackie Motors MG

Perrys Mazda Canterbury

Best Dealership- Sponsored by Auto Trader

AT_2020event_Edit1 from AT Insight on Vimeo.

Finalists

Cartime

Citygate Volkswagen Ruislip

Luscombe Leeds

MB Motors

Best Dealer Group (up to 10 sites) – sponsored by Diamondbrite Automotive

Finalists

Cartime

Rygor Commercials

Waylands Automotive

Best Dealer Group (more than 10 sites) – sponsored by heycar

Finalists

Arnold Clark Automobiles

Marshall Motor Group

Steven Eagell Group

Swansway Group

TrustFord

Best Used Car Dealer Group (franchised and independent) – sponsored by Autoclenz

Finalists

Arnold Clark Automobiles

Cartime

Citygate Automotive

Best Marketing Strategy – sponsored by eBay Motors Group

Finalists

Nathanial Cars MG

Rockar

TrustFord

Best In Customer Service – sponsored by LTK Consultants

Finalists

Alexanders Prestige

Buyacar.co.uk

Hills Ford

Luscombe Leeds

Motonet.com

Roadside Garages

The Community Hero Award

Finalists

Carshop

Hendy Group

Jardine Motors

Roadside Garages

TrustFord

The Bright Spark Award – sponsored by CDK Global

Finalists

Chorley Group’s electric vehicle advocate

Helston Garages’ key tag maps

Perrys Motor Sales’ messenger bot

AM People Investor – sponsored by MFG Group

Finalists

Citygate Automotive

Jardine Motors Group

TrustFord

New Car of the Year – sponsored by Supagard

Finalists

Audi E-Tron

Kia E-Niro

MG ZS EV

Tesla Model 3

Used Car of the Year – sponsored by Car Care Plan

Finalists

Hyundai Tucson

Kia Niro

Kia Sportage

Mazda3

Peugeot 3008

Volkswagen Golf

Franchise Partner of the Year

Finalists

Ford of Britain

Hyundai Motor UK

Kia Motors UK

Mazda Motors UK

Peugeot UK

Volvo Cars UK

Manufacturer of the Year – sponsored by carwow

AM Awards Video 2020 from carwow B2B on Vimeo.

Finalists

Groupe PSA

Mazda

Tesla

Volkswagen

Volvo

Supplier of the Year

Finalists

Aston Barclay

BCA

CitNOW

Codeweavers

Edynamix

EMac

Gforces

Manheim

RAPID RTC

Santander Consumer Finance

Best New Product or Service

Finalists

Arena Group’s Mstore for automotive- the BMW retailer platform

Auto Service Finance’s Online Payment Portal

BCA’s Buyer App

Cazana’s Companion

Click Dealer’s ClickEngage

Dealtrak’s compliance module

GForces’ NetDirector Auto-e

Santander Consumer Finance’s Online Application

The Motorists Organisation’s Secret Service

Dealer Group of the Year- Sponsored by Black Horse

The ultimate accolade for the best business performance and culture.

Selected by the judging panel from the five winners of Best Dealer Group (up to 10 sites), Best Dealer Group (more than 10 sites), Best Used Car Dealer Group, The Community Hero Award and AM People Investor.

General Manager/Dealer Principal of the Year –

Finalists

Helen Price, Johnsons Mazda Gloucester

Mohammad Vakilipour, head of business, Citygate Volkswagen Ruislip

Peter Titlow, head of sales, and Robert Titcombe, head of aftersales, Citygate Seat Reading

Business Leader of the Year- Sponsored by Premia Solutions

To recognise strong leadership, vision, visibility and accountability at the highest level.

Nominated and voted on by the judging panel.

AM Hall of Fame- Sponsored by Shell

We recognise someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the automotive industry during their career.

The recipient is chosen by AM’s editor, Tim Rose, and editor-in-chief Stephen Briers.

Judges

Chairman of the judges - Christopher Macgowan OBE

Independently audited by BDO

Stephen Briers, editor-in-chief, AM
Tim Rose, editor, AM
Jeremy Bennett, digital manager and AM associate editor
Piers Trenear-Thomas, industry analyst
Steve Young, managing director, International Car Distribution Programme
Steve Nash, chief executive, Institute of the Motor Industry
Professor Jim Saker, director of the Centre of Automotive Management, Loughborough University’s Business School
Ray Sommerville, industry veteran and former chief executive of Perrys