City Chevrolet wins "Dealer of the Year" award; Mr. Hendrick celebrates with teammates
Charlotte-based City Chevrolet, one of the most recognized dealerships in the United States, is also one of the nation’s best. Recently, Rick Hendrick (Hendrick Automotive Group chairman and CEO) was on hand to celebrate the dealership’s 13th Chevrolet “Dealer of the Year” Award with a special luncheon inside the showroom. It was the dealerships seventh-consecutive “Dealer of the Year’ recognition.
This year’s celebration was themed “Memory Lane,” and featured Mr. Hendrick, who purchased the dealership in 1978, telling the audience stories of the first few years, how the culture was built and the significance of the dealership being Hendrick Automotive Group’s “Mothership.” Hundreds of historic photos helped enhance the moment.
“It’s absolutely incredible to have Mr. Hendrick visit,” said City Chevrolet general manager, Chris Boone. “There’s no room that he walks into that everyone doesn’t stop, listen and appreciate him being there. To have him here to speak with all 185 employees and show them the passion he has for this store really helps our team understand the importance of City Chevrolet. It’s not just a car dealership – it’s City Chevrolet.”
“This year meant even more, too,” Boone added. “This was the first time we have been able to get together and celebrate since 2019. We had won the award for the previous four years, but this was the first time we were able to celebrate. It had a little extra meaning to it. It had a little more excitement and energy, and we were able to take (the luncheon) to the next level.”
HENDRICKCARS.COM I CITY CHEVROLET I INVENTORY I SCHEDULE SERVICE
The annual “Dealer of the Year” is the most prestigious award a Chevrolet franchise can receive from the manufacturer. Of the 2,903 dealerships nationally, the top 2% of dealerships in the nation are recognized every year. Only 60 dealerships made this year’s list.
“Dealer of the Year is the pinnacle of the Chevrolet awards,” Boone said. “It is important, being the flagship (dealership) for Hendrick Automotive Group, to do everything we can to achieve this award. We take great pride in it. Every day we do everything we can as a team to works towards that goal.
“The culture of the store is tremendous,” Boone added. “Our teammates in every department -- service, parts and sales -- have all bought in to what it takes. Everyone here wants to achieve that (Dealer of the Year status). They wear it proudly, as we buy everyone pullover shirts that showcase how many ‘Dealer of the Year’ Awards we have won. They wear it with pride here in the dealership, and wear it with pride when they go out into the public. Our teammates have a winning mentality here at the dealership and it says a lot about the foundation Mr. Hendrick established.”
To earn this award the dealership had to meet or exceed a number of program qualifiers, including enrollment in the manufacturer’s “Standards of Excellence” criteria. Dealers are required to meet or exceed scoring in Customer Service Index (CSI), Retail Sales Index (RSI), General Motors Part Loyalty while also being Essential Brand Element (EBE) compliant.
HENDRICKCARS.COM I CITY CHEVROLET I INVENTORY I SCHEDULE SERVICE
“It is challenging (to win the award),” Boone said. “You simply can’t take a day off. Every day, you have to make sure you are working towards that goal. If you try to take it easy for a month, you will get behind and never truly be able to catch up.
“One of the things we talk about here is, ‘Win the Day,’” Boone continued. “You worry about tomorrow, tomorrow. This entire team has that mentality.”
In addition to “Dealer of the Year,” City Chevrolet has also earned the “Mark of Excellence” Award every year since its inception 23 years ago. The franchise has won that award more times than any other dealership in the Southeastern Region.
“We’re not going to stop with the culture and environment we have here,” Boone said. “Our goal here is to continue to honor Mr. Hendrick, and by trying to bring this award to City Chevrolet year in and year out going forward.”
HENDRICKCARS.COM I CITY CHEVROLET I INVENTORY I SCHEDULE SERVICE
AdChoices