Selling cars is one thing but balancing that with the needs of your existing customers is an altogether trickier proposition. Accrington Garages has shown how to do it, after being named Vauxhall’s after sales district champions.

The initiative was launched by the manufacturer at the end of 2006 to recognise excellence in customer care, Vauxhall Masterfit standard and growth achievement. The third recipient of the trophy, Accrington Garages is a family run business with over half a century’s association with the Vauxhall marque and the benefits of this experience are clear to see.

Managing Director Walaiti Singh has been at the helm for the last fifteen years and has worked hard to foster expertise without losing the personal touch. "It is a very big achievement to be named as champions, as there are twenty dealerships within the district, many of which have vastly more resources than us" he notes.

"It is testament to the team that we have proved that we are better than them and can achieve an excellent standard in all categories that were tested and matter to the customer."

He added: "The person I would like to single out for special praise, however, is Kellie Pickering, our senior service assistant, who has worked hard to ensure that we got our name on the trophy this quarter.

"The whole ethos of our business is customer care, coupled with a personal, friendly service and that has resulted in it going from strength to strength over the years, even though there are some much larger dealerships around us.

It seems there’s something to be said for getting the balance right after all.