PACCAR Trucks Melbourne has won the 2012 DAF Dealer of the Year award for outstanding sales, service and support.

This is the second time the dealership has been recognized with this important industry accolade, having also won it in 2007. The award acknowledges excellence in overall dealer performance, truck sales, parts sales, finance and customer support.

Speaking at PACCAR Australia's annual dealer event, Managing Director, Mike Dozier, congratulated the dealership for winning the hotly-contested DAF prize.

"PACCAR Trucks Melbourne is a deserving winner and an excellent example of a DAF dealer," Mike said. "It has made a significant contribution to DAF's increasing market share, and it continues to meet and exceed customer needs by investing in staff training, specialist equipment and maintaining modern facilities."

Andrew McKenzie, General Manager PACCAR Trucks Melbourne, said it was a great honour to again win DAF's highest award. He said it was testament to the team at PACCAR Trucks Melbourne and their ongoing commitment to the brand and the customers.

"This award is for everyone in our dealership," Andrew said. "Our hard-working staff believe in the product and they're dedicated to delivering the highest degree of customer service and satisfaction. As a result, throughout 2012, we saw a significant increase in the number of new customers, and strong sales from existing customers expanding their DAF fleets."

Established in 1999, PACCAR Trucks Melbourne services the western and northern suburbs of Melbourne, Ballarat, Geelong and surrounding districts. Based in Derrimut, it is only minutes from the Westgate Freeway and the Western Ring Road, and is within easy reach of CityLink, the Tullamarine and Calder Freeways, as well as the Western and Hume Highways.

The dealership is situated on a large 4.6 hectare site, and employs 92 staff, including 41 mechanics. The state-of-the-art facility features an expansive display of DAF and Kenworth models in a variety of configurations. It also offers an ALLRig parts supermarket with $3 million in stock, and fully-appointed driver amenities. Its workshop is regarded as one of the most sophisticated in the country. It comprises 30 service bays, with four fast lube service pits, plus a wide variety of specialist tooling, including a range of advanced DAVIE diagnostic equipment for improved troubleshooting and repairs.

The dealership also offers on-site truck servicing at customers' premises, plus a 24-hour breakdown and emergency parts support throughout the area.

Andrew said that throughout 2012 his dealership experienced sustained growth across the entire DAF range. Their most popular models were DAF's compact LF55 for metropolitan deliveries of palletised freight, and the top-of-the-range DAF XF105 for intrastate and interstate car carriers and general freight.

"All our DAF staff are factory trained" Andrew said. "Our sales consultants are adept at tailoring products to suit a variety of applications and needs. We are also employing specialist DAF mechanics and auto-electricians from Europe. And we plan to have some of our mechanics trained as DAF Master Technicians, the highest level of DAF training. This is all part of our ongoing commitment to providing customers with cost effective and efficient service," he explained.

Andrew says DAF has a distinct advantage over other European brands, thanks to PACCAR's engineering excellence in Europe and Australia.

"DAF is world renowned for its productive, economical vehicles which provide the most luxurious and safe operating environments. In Australia, we have these premium models with a traditional European driveline, featuring the ZF automated transmission matched to PACCAR's high performance engines. For customers operating in more challenging environments, we can offer the same models with a North American driveline – an Eaton Roadranger transmission matched to Meritor axles and Australia's proven Kenworth Airglide suspension," he said.

"Best of all, PACCAR's DAF and Kenworth product ranges cater for almost every transport need – from small rigids for metropolitan and short-haul duties to large prime movers for interstate and off-highway applications," Andrew explained.

PACCAR Australia conducts comprehensive training programs and regularly evaluates dealers to ensure Kenworth and DAF products and services are represented in the best manner possible.

"Our awards foster excellence in all of our dealers," Mike Dozier said. "And that benefits everyone, especially customers who have access to the most professional network of dealers across Australia."

At the dealer awards ceremony, PACCAR Australia also presented the DAF Service and Parts Dealer of the Year awards to Brown & Hurley Yatala. This dealership was DAF Dealer of the Year for 2010 and 2011, and also won the Kenworth Dealer of the Year 2012.

DAF Trucks Australia, a division of PACCAR Australia, distributes a complete range of medium and heavy-duty trucks throughout Australia. PACCAR Inc, a Six Sigma company, is a global technology leader in the design, manufacture and customer support of high-quality light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF nameplates. PACCAR also designs and manufactures advanced diesel engines, provides financial services and information technology, and distributes truck parts related to its principal business.

For further information:

Andrew Mills
DAF Brand Specialist
PACCAR Australia
Tel: (03) 9721 1500