Robert Garff, chairman and chief executive officer of the Ken Garff Automotive Group, has been named the 2004 Dealer of the Year by the American International Automobile Dealers Association, in conjunction with Motor Trend and Automobile magazines.
The dealer of the year award, which is based on outstanding industry and community service, was awarded to Garff on May 18 during the association's Annual Automotive Congress in Washington, D.C. The event brings together dealers, dealership personnel, industry executives and elected officials.
"As an organization, we're all honored," Garff said Wednesday. "I say that because our employees are, in fact, the ones that made it happen. They are the face of our organization, the heart of our
company. They interrelate with the customer every day. I accepted the award for our 1,250 employees."
AIADA represents 10,000 American automobile dealerships that sell and service international nameplate brands. It said Garff was honored "as the leading dealer making positive social and economic effects."
"The Dealer of the Year Award recognizes those dealers who go above and beyond in an effort to make a difference locally, regionally and nationally," the association's chairman, Buzz Rodland, said in a prepared statement. "They are prominent civic and business leaders whose names are synonymous with generosity and community service."
Garff was one of seven finalists for the honor.
He said the fact that it comes from peers in the industry gives "real credence to it, because they know how to measure dealers."
Ken Garff Automotive Group, based in Salt Lake City, has 45 stores and 11 locations throughout Utah. In addition to new-car franchises, it has six collision repair centers and three used-car stores.
Its recent honors include the "Best of State Award" in 2003 for Automotive Dealerships and Merchandising, as well as the Honda President's award in 2002 and 2003, and the Mitsubishi Diamond Chapter of Excellence award in 2003.