KIA UK WINS TOP AWARDS FROM NFDA

Kia UK Limited has been presented with two awards at the 2023 National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) Awards, including ‘Manufacturer Partner of the Year’ and ‘Green Manufacturer of the Year’.

• The awards, held at the NFDA’s Spring Ball on Saturday 22 April 2023, celebrate excellence within the automotive industry and are attended by dealerships, manufacturers and senior automotive stakeholders.

  Kia UK was named the overall ‘Manufacturer Partner of the Year’, following being named as the top-rated brand overall in the latest Winter 2022/23 edition of the NFDA Dealer Attitude Survey.

  This year, Kia has retained its title as the NFDA’s ‘Green Manufacturer of the Year’. Introduced in 2022, Kia is the only manufacturer to have ever won the award. The award recognises the important steps taken by a car manufacturer to work closely with its dealer network and assist retailers in meeting the demand for alternative fuel vehicles. Kia received the highest average score when dealers were asked “How satisfied are you with the battery electric vehicle products your manufacturer currently offers” in the latest Dealer Attitude Survey.

  Commenting on Kia’s awards, Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the NFDA, said: “Kia UK Limited has performed outstandingly this year in the UK automotive retailing sector. As such, NFDA was delighted to present Paul Philpott with two awards this evening at the annual NFDA Spring Ball.

  “As ‘Manufacturer Partner of the Year’, Kia achieved the highest average score for how retailers rate their manufacturer in our latest Dealer Attitude Survey, a position which has always had tough competition since its launch in 1989. As our ‘Green Manufacturer of the Year’, Kia also had the highest satisfaction score for its EV products on offer. A forward-thinking production line and a sustained positive relationship with its UK dealership network has put the company ahead of many competitors in 2022 and 2023.”

  Paul Philpott, President and CEO at Kia UK Limited said: “We are thrilled to receive these two awards and thank the NFDA and its members for honouring Kia. Each of these awards mirror our goals: to be leaders in electrification, putting the environment, our customers and dealer partners at the forefront of the business.

  “We firmly believe in the value of our dealer partners and what they offer our customers having a real physical presence, the ability to show cars and demonstrate features, take test drives and speak with real people, face-to-face.

  “Winning the NFDA ‘Green Manufacturer of the Year’ award for the second consecutive year is testament to our long-term commitment toward the environment and our eco models. Along with local and global partnerships, including the Surrey Wildlife Trust and ‘The Ocean Cleanup’, Kia is committed to being carbon neutral by 2045 and launching 15 EVs globally by 2027. We are already well on the way: one in three Kia sold last year was electrified, and this year we are already close to one in two.”

  The NFDA is the trade association representing franchised car and commercial retailers across the UK.