10th January, 2002

Dealer of the Year 2001 goes to Rick Damelian

THE ‘PINNACLE’ AWARD for 2001 Saab Dealer of The Year in Australia and New Zealand has been won by Rick Damelian Saab.

The Sydney dealer’s excellent sales performance and strong levels of customer satisfaction during 2001 were the main factors in the ‘Pinnacle Award’ win.

The organisation’s Paul de la Motte captured the Saab ‘Spirit’ Award for Sales Manager of The Year, culminating in a successful 2001 for Rick Damelian Saab.

“Saab’s resurgence in 2001 was due to the committed efforts of key dealer partners such as Rick Damelian Saab,” said Saab Automobile Australia managing director, Tony Jennett. (left) with Damelian Saab joint dealer principals Warren Smith (centre) and Rick Damelian (right)

Rick Damelian Saab is the largest dealer in the Saab network, amassing approximately 440 new Saab sales in 2001.

“Saab’s Dealer of The Year criteria is weighted heavily on sales target achievement of New Cars and Parts and Accessories, and meeting premium standards in all customer contact areas of a dealership’s operation as measured by Saab’s Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI),”  said Mr Jennett.

Sales and CSI combined account for 90 per cent in the Dealer of The Year criteria.

Kevin Healing from Henley Saab in Perth and Narciso Fabretti from Lance Dixon Saab in Melbourne each won a Saab ‘Spirit’ Award for Service Manager and Parts Manager of The Year, respectively.

Saab is represented in Australia by 24 dealer partners, and in New Zealand by three dealer partners.

In 2001 Saab Automobile sold in excess of 2900 premium 9-3 and luxury 9-5 vehicles in Australia and New Zealand – its best result since 1998.

Rick Damelian Saab has won Saab Dealer of The Year on three previous occasions.