Criteria: Marketing should help you to build your brand as well as to find new customers and help you to grow sales in the short term.

What are the judges looking for?

If you're a dealer, please provide a breakdown of the following KPIs for the last three years for both the dealer group and the dealership (where the company is made up of multiple sites):

• Turnover 
• Operating profit
• Profit before tax 
• Net assets per balance sheet 
• Vehicle turnover (new and used)
• Number of units sold and average margin per unit (new and used).

If you're a manufacturer, please provide:

• Turnover
• Number of units sold.

All entrants should provide any other KPIs you feel would aid your entry.

Open to dealers of cars or LCVs, whether independent or franchised, and vehicle manufacturers.

Criteria: We want to recognise dealerships and dealer groups which are deeply rooted in their communities, which support local causes and organisations, and which have a culture of giving something back.

What are the judges looking for?

Often the strongest businesses build brands and relationships at all levels, demonstrate their expertise and ability to help, and show that they are far from being another faceless retailer only concerned with taking money. We want to see clear evidence that the community that your business is part of, puts its needs at the core of the business.

Open to car and LCV dealers, including franchised and independent.

Criteria: Having an elementary website and advertising on third party classified sites is no longer enough. Dealers which enter this award category should provide an excellent, comprehensive, customer-focused digital experience for consumers who are searching online for their next car, whether new or used.

What are the judges looking for?

Our judges will expect to see entries from motor retailers that have great functionality on their websites for both sales and aftersales. They’ll allow consumers to easily find the information online that they require and that have online support to help consumers get answers to any questions they have. And they’ll have plenty of evidence of their successful online engagement, such as through their social media, and show that they are converting online visitors into real sales and service customers.

Open to franchised car and van retailers only.

Criteria: Having an elementary website and advertising on third party classified sites is no longer enough. Dealers which enter this award category should provide an excellent, comprehensive, customer-focused digital experience for consumers who are searching online for their next car, whether new or used.

What are the judges looking for?

Our judges will expect to see entries from motor retailers that have great functionality on their websites for both sales and aftersales. They’ll allow consumers to easily find the information online that they require and that have online support to help consumers get answers to any questions they have. And they’ll have plenty of evidence of their successful online engagement, such as through their social media, and show that they are converting online visitors into real sales and service customers.

Open to independent car and van retailers only.

Criteria: Wellbeing, diversity and inclusion are equally important. For a lot of companies, they are closely related. Bringing them together provides a holistic opportunity to recognise and honour the companies that are looking after their staff in the best possible way by being an inclusive employer that priorities the mental health and wellbeing of their staff.

Open to franchised and independent car and van retailers.

What are the judges looking for?

Our judges will expect to see entries from motor retailers that are taking huge strides in developing a modern, diverse workforce which is enabled and supported.

Criteria: The workshop is a critical source of profitability and customer contact. This award seeks to recognise a superb, outstanding service site.

What are the judges looking?

Contenders will be solidly profitable, will have high levels of customer satisfaction, will be invested in technical ability and resources and will be taking every opportunity to increase revenues and broaden their customer base.

Open to franchised and independent workshops.

Criteria: Entrants should have a customer-centric culture and take pride in strong satisfaction scores, but never allow complacency and react robustly to fix the situation whenever things go wrong. The award will recognise the most successful attempts to improve customer service from any dealer group or dealership.

What are the judges looking for?

Examples of customer service that makes a difference will catch the judges’ attention. The entry must show a genuine understanding of the needs of customers, with a team-based desire to make a difference. Initiatives don’t have to transform a business, but they will have to make a demonstrable difference. As a result, entries that include case studies showing evidence of the initiative’s impact will be particularly welcome.

Entries accepted from franchised and independent car and LCV dealers.

Criteria: This award is for an individual who works within a franchised or independent car or LCV retailer, in any customer-facing role or department. Entrants may self-nominate or may be put forward by colleagues or managers.

What are the judges looking for?

Individuals who clearly and consistently demonstrate they go the extra mile to deliver the highest level of customer service and who stand out for their ability to listen, empathise and adapt.
Evidence such as testimonies from customers and colleagues will strengthen their case for winning this trophy, as will real indications of the benefits delivered to the business from this approach, such as review ratings, manufacturer awards, customer loyalty etc.

Entries accepted from franchised and independent car and LCV dealers.

Criteria: Dealers and OEMs which enter this award need to demonstrate that they have gone the extra mile to support the adoption of electric vehicles.

What are the judges looking for?

Entrants, whether OEMs or retailers, will have a passionate and knowledgeable workforce that advocates EVs; they will demonstrate great communications and novel methods to help consumers gain confidence in this new technology; they will be thinking further than the sale and will show their ability to be the EV expert for customers post-purchase and for their wider communities.

Entries accepted from both retailers and OEMs.

Criteria: Entrants will be actively selling battery electric vehicles (new and/or used) with good success.

What are the judges looking for?

Dealerships will demonstrate that they are selling a rising number of battery electric vehicles (new and/or used) and doing so profitably. The judges will hope to see evidence that the entrant understands how and where to find customers for EVs, that they have tailored their sales experience to support EV buyers, and that they are ensuring customers are satisfied with their purchase decision.

Open to franchised and independent car or LCV dealers.

Criteria: We're looking for the best motor retailers and carmakers which can demonstrate strategic planning and robust steps being taken to help build a more sustainable and better future.

What are the judges looking for?

Aspects the judges will look for span from reducing energy consumption to waste reduction to green procurement and encouraging a green-minded culture within the workforce.

Open to both retailers and OEMs.

Criteria: This award is open to industry suppliers to enter to demonstrate how they are helping to change dealers’ fortunes. Products or services must have been launched since January 2024, real innovation – not just evolution of an existing product.

What are the judges looking for?

Our panel of judges will expect to see real innovation – not just evolution of an existing product - and measurable results, including examples of beneficial use by your customers.

Criteria: Eligible vehicles will have been launched during 2024 with full hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains. Finalists will all have helped to move on the segment – no also-rans here.

The award is decided by AM’s dealer audience through online voting.

Criteria: Finalists in this category will have made an impact not just for their brand but for the whole market. Models will have been launched in the UK since January 2024 and the strongest contenders will have a combination of attractive design, technical innovation and practicality.

The award is decided by AM’s dealer audience through online voting.

Criteria: Contenders for the Used EV of the Year Award will have been on sale for more than 12 months since launch and will have had a strong impact both on the dealers’ forecourts and on consumers who are attracted to purchase them pre-owned.

The award is decided by AM’s dealer audience through online voting.

Criteria: This category considers used cars aged six months to three years. It takes into account the quality of cars, how well they have retained their residual value, the strength of manufacturers’ used car programmes and level of engagement from retailers, and use of remarketing. Additional insight comes from car pricing guide Parker’s, AutoTrader, CAP and Glass’s.

The award is decided by AM’s dealer audience through online voting.

Criteria: Innovation, quality and a money maker for dealers are the key watchwords for the AM New Car of the Year. Finalists will all have been launched during 2024. They will have made an immediate impact on the market by moving on the segment while dealers will be able to exceed targets without discounting.

Quality will be exceptional, driving performance will impress and the car will be designed for maximum appeal.

The award is decided by AM’s dealer audience through online voting.

Criteria: This category is open to single-site owner operators and to best performing dealerships within a larger group network – both single franchised and multi-franchised showrooms. It will recognise the performance of each individual, team and department in a dealership rewarding, where appropriate, sales, marketing, new and used car sales, the workshop and administration.

What are the judges looking for?

Examples of best practice and outstanding performance – including financial - across the business are needed. In addition, the entry needs to show high levels of customer satisfaction, a keen awareness of marketing and an appreciation of the role of staff in a successful business. In short, the winner will be an all-rounder.

Entries accepted from franchised car and LCV dealers.

Criteria: Successful used car retailing has become as much a science as an art. This award is open to any independent dealer that sells used cars and is intended to recognise its broad success from its focus on used car sales.

What are the judges looking for?

The judges will be looking for evidence of a group-wide focus on profitable used car sales. Entrants will be able to demonstrate comprehensive, successful used car processes, including across stock sourcing and management, preparation, marketing and in the sales process. We expect to see examples of best practice and strong performance within the entry.

Open to independent (non-franchised) retailers only.

Criteria: More profitable than new cars, used cars is a competitive part of the market fought over by franchised dealers, car supermarkets and independents. This award is open to any company or group that sells used cars and is intended to recognise those who have turned the practice into an art form – not to say a hugely successful and profitable business.

What are the judges looking for?

We require examples of best practice and outstanding performance. The judges will be looking for companies that have a robust used car policy, a good understanding of the issues affecting used car sales and sourcing and sustained business profitability, plus an innovative approach to business. In addition, the entry needs to show high levels of customer satisfaction, a keen awareness of marketing and an appreciation of the role of staff in a successful business.

Entries accepted from franchised and independent dealers in used cars or LCVs.

Criteria: This award will recognise an individual who combines the needs of the business with the demands of managing a dealership team and customer expectations.

What are the judges looking for?

The judges will be looking for a dealer principal or general manager who has demonstrated excellent leadership skills, ambition, drive and innovative thinking that has helped the dealership achieve business objectives such as sales volumes, profitability, employee and customer satisfaction and loyalty. Evidence of performance is expected and testimonials welcomed.

GMs and dealer principals can put themselves forward for the award or can be nominated by dealer group or manufacturer.

Criteria: The motor retail industry is made up primarily of smaller, regional groups. This award category is designed to recognise and honour those companies. Entrants will be able to show how they meet the AM Awards’ original criteria of quality, innovation and service and how they have tracked their performance improvement over the past five years.

A copy of the most recent full company accounts will be required.

*Up to and including 10 separate franchise locations.

What are the judges looking for?

Examples of best practice and outstanding performance across all areas of the business – new cars, used cars, aftersales, bodyshop (where applicable), parts and finance. In addition, the entry needs to show high levels of customer satisfaction, a keen awareness of marketing and an appreciation of the role of staff in a successful business.

Entries accepted from franchised dealer groups.

Criteria: This award recognises the unique complications and complexities that come from co-ordinating a large retail group, one with more than 10 dealerships. Entrants will be able to show how they meet the AM Awards’ original criteria of quality, innovation and service, and how they have tracked their performance improvement over the past five years.

A copy of the most recent full company accounts will be required.

* Separate franchise locations

What are the judges looking for?

Examples of best practice and outstanding performance across all areas of the business – new cars, used cars, aftersales, bodyshop (where applicable), parts and finance. In addition, the entry needs to show high levels of customer satisfaction, a keen awareness of marketing and an appreciation of the role of staff in a successful business.

Entries accepted from franchised dealer groups.

Criteria: Reliable, innovative and ambitious suppliers are the perfect partners for motor retailers who have to take any opportunity to become more efficient and effective.

This category is open to entries from all motor retail industry suppliers. But the ones who are making a significant difference to dealers’ fortunes, and who can show it, will stand the greatest chance of becoming a finalist.

Entries will be reviewed and voted upon by readers’ and the judging panel.

Criteria: This award enables AM and our audit partner UHY Hacker Young to give special recognition for the long-term strategic leadership of the motor retail business.

The winner is selected by UHY Hacker Young and the AM judges.

No entries required.

Criteria: Decided by the AM Awards' judges, they will not just focus on sales performance and retailer morale. Is the manufacturer sensitive to the voice of the consumer, the winds of change blowing through the legislative landscape and dealer feedback when it comes to product planning? These will be key considerations for the judges.

Models on the forecourt must be right for the customers in terms of practicality, cost, style and the environment, but is the manufacturer also making a clear statement of intent on the development of new models and supporting technologies that is matched by a track record of delivering on promises.

No entries required.

Criteria: This award is given to the star performer of the awards.

The winners from the two Best Dealer Group categories, plus Used Car Performance of the Year, come under scrutiny of our judging panel once more to decide who is the deserving winner of our ultimate business award.

No entries required.

Criteria: This award is presented to the person who has had the biggest impact on the motor industry during the previous 12 months. Their contribution will have made a significant positive impact to the way companies do business or to the way the industry is portrayed to the public.

The recipient is decided by group editor of AM, Stephen Briers, in consultation with the AM Awards’ judges.

No entries required.

Criteria: Each year the AM Hall of Fame award recognises someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the automotive industry during their career. Not only will they have led a hugely successful business, but they will also have raised professionalism in the industry and helped improve its image. Without them the motor industry would be a poorer place. The inductee can be working in the industry or have retired.

The recipient is decided by group editor of AM, Stephen Briers, AM editor Tim Rose and AM deputy editor Aimee Turner, in consultation with the other AM Awards judges.

No entries required.