Victoria’s best automotive businesses recognised

The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce held its annual VACC Industry Awards at the weekend, recognising the state’s finest automotive businesses.

This year, 36 businesses and business people were recognised for their efforts across mechanical repair, auto electrical, recycling, body repair, engine reconditioning, farm machinery, heavy vehicle repair, new and used car, motorcycle and commercial vehicle dealers, service station and convenience stores, aftermarket and retail, towing and tyre dealers.

Judged by eight experts, each entrant was evaluated on business management, workplace practices, customer service and marketing and communication. An independent standards representative audited the judging.

New categories in this year’s VACC Industry Awards included Best Business Woman in Automotive and Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Carworks - Ballarat Renault (pictured) took out Best new car dealer.

The full list of winners is below:

Best Aftermarket & Retail Business (Small)
Piranha Off Road Products

Best Aftermarket & Retail Business (Large)
Bond Batteries

Best Auto Electrical (Small)
Cranbourne Auto Electrical & Mechanical

Best Auto Electrical (Large)
Lonsdale Street Auto Electrics

Best Auto Recycler
First Auto Parts Plus

Best Body Repairer – Passenger Vehicle (Small)
Essendon Panels

Best Body Repairer – Passenger Vehicle (Large)
Lyons Body Works

Best Business Woman in Automotive                                Michelle Ferbrache, Essendon Panels

Best Commercial Vehicle Body Repairer                              Royans Melbourne

Best Commercial Vehicle dealer Large                                   3 Point Motors Mercedes-Benz

Best Commercial Vehicle Manufacturer
Norden Body Works

Best Engine Reconditioner (Small)
Head Stud Development

Best Engine Reconditioner (Large)
HM GEM Engines

Best Farm Machinery Dealer (Large)
Agpower & Transport

Best Heavy Towing (HTT) Operator – Statewide
Complete Body Craft

Best Mechanical – Light Engines (motorcycle, powered engines & marine) (Large)
A1 Motorcycles

Best Mechanical – Heavy Vehicle
Hallam Truck Centre

Best Mechanical Light Vehicle – Metro New Car Dealer Mornington Mitsubishi & Isuzu Ute

Best Mechanical Light Vehicle – Metro (Small)
Allpoint Automotive

Best Mechanical Light Vehicle – Metro (Large)                      BM Tech

Best Mechanical Light Vehicle – Regional (Small)
Sandhurst Automotive

Best Mechanical Light Vehicle – Regional (Large)
Echuca Service Centre & 4X4

Best Metro Accident (allocated) Towing Operator
Sheen Group Towing

Best Motorcycle Dealer (Large)
A1 Motorcycles

Best New Car Dealer                                                      Carworks – Ballarat Renault

Best Parts/Component Manufacturer
Piranha Off Road Products

Best Regional Accident Towing Operator
Geelong Accident Towing & Recovery Centre

Best Restoration Project                                                         Catocraft Automotive

Best Service Station & Convenience Store (Small)
Caltex Star Mart Albert Park

Best Trade Towing Operator - Statewide
Code 12 Towing

Best Tyre Dealer
Tyrepower Werribee

Best Used Car Dealer (Small)
Ballarat Car Sales

Best Used Car Dealer (Large)
3 Point Motors Mercedes-Benz

Unsung Hero Award
Rebecca Lewis ( Ballarat Car Sales)
Frank Parisi (Frank's Engineering)

Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Xifa Bayati
Tony Diep