Suzuki Australia has announced the winners of the Suzuki Australia Automobile Dealer of the Year awards for 2005 ("DOTY" ?).

The hotly contested awards are challenged by Suzuki dealerships within their regional divisions and are highly sought after, with only the best of them being named "Dealer Of The Year."

The recipients for 2005:

METROPOLITAN DEALER OF THE YEAR: John Gardner, Brian Gardner Motors, Cannington (Perth), WA

PROVINCIAL DEALER OF THE YEAR: Geoff Hussin of Gosford City Suzuki, Gosford, NSW

RURAL DEALER OF THE YEAR: Angel Sotrioff of North Town Suzuki, Geraldton, WA

SALES DEALER OF THE YEAR: Anthony Politis of Action Suzuki Autos, Parramatta (Sydney), NSW

CSI DEALER OF THE YEAR: John Cruickshank of O'Connor Suzuki, Bathurst, NSW

The award winners were officially recognised last week at a dinner and trophy presentation hosted by Suzuki Australia.

The lucky winners were also treated to a luxurious weekend retreat, a vast contrast to their busy dealerships and hectic lifestyles.

The presentation of the awards celebrate the high standards, Suzuki strives to maintain at all dealerships in all areas of sales performance, customer service, accessories sales, brand separation and dealership facility.

Competition for "Dealer Of The Year" is always tough and the recognised dealerships have consistently set high standards in car retailing through improving customer relations and business ethics, and their speed to embrace new products, systems and opportunities.

The year 2005, was a time of exceptional growth for the Suzuki brand, with an impressive 13,794 units sold Australia wide with an increase of over 90% to 2004.

The sales success can well be attributed to the arrival of the new Suzuki Swift, APV Commercial Van and the all new Grand Vitara, while retail sales of other Suzuki models such as the Liana and Jimny also lifted.