Auto Trader NZ
Published 3 September 2020
Group Managing Director of Farmer Auto Village xtreme Michael Farmer accepted the prize at the Tauranga Business Awards at Baypark Stadium last week.
Farmer Motor Group has been operating for 25 years, and was awarded the honour for getting through the recession in good order.
Farmer Auto Village xtreme is its new $13 million dealership, modelled on American developments, and is a first for New Zealand. It includes a cafe, childcare facilities, carwash and 22-bay workshop.
Father and son combo Peter and Michael Farmer opened the dealership in July last year.
In the face of the recession they took evasive measures to reduce costs – laying off 10 staff and combining the operation under one roof.
Despite new car sales dropping 10%, Farmer Auto Village managed to increase market share.
The dealership is now ahead of budget, and sells 35% of cars in the Tauranga region.
The judges said Farmer Auto Village has “sophisticated business systems, strong corporate values, a market-leading dealership site and an unrivalled commitment to customer service”.
The auto village also won the TrustPower Customer Service Award, the Business Growth and Development category and was a finalist in the Community Service.
