Parsons Garage, the main Toyota dealer in Tuam, Co Galway, has been awarded the Ichiban Award by Toyota Motor Europe.
The Toyota Ichiban award is exclusively reserved for retailers across Europe who excel in terms of customer service.
Ichiban in Japanese means ‘Number One.’ This year some 2,500 European retailers competed for the honour to be one of the 45 Ichiban winners, each of whom demonstrates a unique approach and commitment to a customer first mind set.
Since joining the Toyota family in 1978, Frank and Maureen Parsons, in conjunction with daughter Helen Quinlan who nows run the dealership, and daughter Hilary Parsons, who works in aftersales, and the team in Parsons Garage, have achieved tremendous success through focusing on the experience they provide to their customers.
Helen Parsons Quinlan was a participant in the Best Retailer in Town programme that took place in Japan in 2018 and since her return, she has introduced a host of Kaizen initiatives to the organisation – improving ways for staff and customers to deliver high levels of customer loyalty and satisfaction in all areas of her business.
During the virtual ceremony, president and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe, Dr Johan van Zyl, recognised all retailers assembled for their outstanding achievement, and the importance of creating a memorable and superb experience for each and every customer who is interested in the brand.
Steve Tormey, chief executive of Toyota Ireland, added: “We are extremely proud of the work of Parsons Garage in Tuam, Galway. In an ever changing world, particularly the current pandemic, their philosophy of customer first has kept Parsons Garage to the forefront of their customers’ motoring consciousness and I’m sure all their loyal customers would agree that their focus on customer needs and requirements are second to none. It’s fantastic that this has been recognised with an Ichiban Award from Toyota Motor Europe.”
