AMBASSADORSHIP
For extraordinary service to the community and the industry
Mike Hacquard, Wolfe Auto Group, Surrey, BC
Advice to others: My advice to any young person entering the automotive business would be to always have the willingness to work hard, learn, and adapt to the ever- changing automotive industry. To also ensure they are exceeding the client’s needs and expectations to build a long lasting relationship. Hard work always pays off.
What I like most about the business: I love seeing the evolving, innovative technology and design of the automotive industry, especially with the brands we carry as well as serving the public. Even with 40 years in the industry and 30 years as a dealer, I still love seeing the smile and excitement of a client picking up their new vehicle.
Nav Bhatia, Bhatia Auto Group, Mississauga, ON
Advice to others: Like every business there will be ups and downs. Ride through the wave. Give yourself a greater purpose to showing up each day than just sales and money: 1) your employees and all of their family members, 2) each customer that walks through your doors and trusts you with one of their biggest purchases, and 3) the impact you can have on those in your community.
What I like most about the business: The automotive retail business has not only given to my family, but it has also afforded me the ability to give to those less fortunate. People are what I love the most about the business. I meet different people each day, listen to their stories, which inspire me every single time.
Peter MacDonald, MacDonald Auto Group, Summerside, PEI
Advice to others: It is important to include not just your management team but your whole employee team to bring new ideas to your dealership and the industry in order to continue to be innovative and make the changes that make you stand out.
What I like most about the business: I love the complexity of the different departments, I love the forever changing technology, but without question I most love the opportunities to have met so many wonderful people over the years.
Roy Avis, West End Motors Inc., Fort Frances, ON
Advice to others: A young person going into the business should make sure he or she has support from their family. A person should take as much formal education as possible. This gives you the opportunity to become successful. How you apply yourself to meet the day to day challenges determines the level of success you will attain.
What I like most about the business: I love that every day brings a new challenge and this business does not stand still. It has given me the opportunity to meet individuals and families who may or may not become a customer. Also many of these people may and have become friends.
BUSINESS INNOVATION
For initiatives that significantly enhance performance or broaden the scope of business for new car and truck dealers
Gilles Lachapelle, Le Groupe Lachapelle, Saint-Eustache, QC
Advice to others: I always say, “when we believe that (something) is impossible, possibility begins to see the light of day.” Success is a matter of persistence and consistency. Doubt is often a source failure, so make sure you have well-trained and convinced people.
What I like most about the business: Every day is a new challenge, and (it is a) pleasure to see people step out of their usual comfort zone to achieve their goals.
John Kot, Kot Auto Group, Kelowna, BC
Advice to others: My advice to young people is (to discover) how exciting and diversified this business is. The rewards can be very substantial and never-ending. There’s so many different little businesses or aspects within a dealership that make it one-of-a-kind, and every single day is different.
What I like most about the business: I love to mentor and see my team grow in their position. There are endless possibilities in this industry, so to see someone come in with zero experience, to then grow to be one of the top sales people in Western Canada, that’s success to a business owner.
Mike Davis, Davis Auto Group, Lethbridge, AB
Advice to others: There are so many different roles and each one has an opportunity for career advancement. No matter where you start in a dealership, you can grow and make a good career out of it if you take the initiative and have the desire to do so.
What I like most about the business: There are many aspects of the automotive retail business that I love, but overall I enjoy the fast paced environment and variety the industry offers. With all of the different departments within a dealership, each with its own challenges and opportunities, it’s enough to keep a guy engaged.
Pierre Spinelli, Le Groupe Spinelli, Montréal, QC
Advice to others: In the automotive sector, there are many exciting people-oriented career opportunities. Establish a strategy that will set you apart from other professionals in the automobile industry; prepare a business plan tailored to your reality, set ambitious but achievable goals, and surround yourself with people who can guide you and keep the goal in view.
What I like most about the business: Proximity to customers, understanding their needs and personal situation, offering the right vehicles to meet their expectations. Automotive retailing allows us to offer all products and services related to the automotive industry and gives us an undeniable competitive edge.
RETAIL OPERATIONS
For outstanding achievement within an individual dealership
Brian Tafler, Yorkdale Toyota, Toronto, ON
Advice to others: The best advice I can give to anyone entering this business is to never be complacent. I believe it’s important to always be learning, listening and open to trying new initiatives or different approaches.
What I like most about the business: I love the constant challenge and never-ending opportunity for continuous improvement and growth for both myself and for the business. I am also extremely passionate about discovering new ways to improve the service and sales experience we provide to our customers
Jonathan Eltes, Mercedes-Benz Brampton, Brampton, ON
Advice to others: You don’t have to be big to dream big. Regardless of the position you are in. Just put your head down, go to work, give it your all, and great things will happen. Don’t aim to be the biggest — just aim to be your very best.
What I like most about the business: What I love about being in the retail automotive industry is exactly that. It’s retail, which allows me to interact directly with the client, build a direct one-on-one relationship.
Peter Brasso, Richmond Honda, Richmond, BC
Advice to others: I follow two simple principles that have been empirically proven to deliver long term business success: 1) revenue before cost, and 2) better before cheaper.
What I like most about the business: The greatest satisfaction for me has been seeing the people I work with grow and develop in their roles at the store. I have also enjoyed celebrating with our team our many successes, and winning the 2019 Community Driver Award from the New Car Dealers Association of B.C. for contributions to our community.
Ruby Routhier, Ruby Hyundai, Thetford Mines, QC
Advice to others: It is essential to love people, to listen to them, and to know that anything is possible when you believe in it — the sky’s the limit, as I often like to say. Alone, we go fast, but as a team, we go far. Open up to opinions, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, but learn from them.
What I like most about the business: What I love the most about auto retail is, without a doubt, the valuable connections I have made with our loyal customers over the years. In addition, having several micro-enterprises (departments) within the organization results in its share of challenges — challenges that we are fuelled by. This allows us to always surpass ourselves and learn more every day.
