The 2013 Auto Remarketing Canada Conference, presented by CarProof, offers attendees something new this year: the opportunity to honor outstanding members of the industry.

This year, conference organizers will present the Auto Remarketing Canada Dealer of the Year Award, presented by CarProof; and the Auto Remarketing Canada Remarketer of the Year Award, presented by IARA, at a ceremony scheduled for Monday at the ARC conference in Toronto.

“The awards segment is something new this year for the conference.  While we have in the past recognized a lifetime achievement award, this is the first year of recognizing a Remarketer of the Year and a Dealer of the Year during the event.  Auto Remarketing Canada, along with sponsor CarProof, is very pleased to honor dealers and executives who have made, and continue to make significant professional contributions to the pre-owned industry,” said Bill Zadeits, conference chair.

“The award recipients and nominees are all to be congratulated for the respect they’ve earned and the recognition they’ve garnered from their peers and colleagues within the industry,” he added.

The Auto Remarketing Canada Remarketer of the Year Award, presented by IARA, recognizes an outstanding leader in the Canadian used-car and remarketing industry. This award is given to a Canadian auto remarketer that continually exceeds expectations through dedication, integrity, hard work and thoughtful leadership.

This auto remarketer will have played an active role in shaping the Canadian used-car industry into what it is today. Listed below are the 2013 nominees and inaugural winner:

Winner:

John Carere, national remarketing manager for RBC Royal Bank Automotive Finance  

“Considering the number of people in this industry in Canada, I am truly honored to be a recipient of this award,” Carere said.   

Nominees:

Arnold Lee, vice president of remarketing FinancialLinx
Doug Collis, remarketing sales manager at Ford of Canada
Keith Jenner, GMAC operations manager collections

The Auto Remarketing Canada Dealer of the Year Award, presented by CarProof, recognizes operational and sales excellence within the used-car and pre-owned business. This award is given to a dealer that is an innovator and a leader in the business that has undoubtedly left their mark on the automotive industry. This dealer will have played an active role in shaping the Canadian used-car industry into what it is today. Listed below are the 2013 nominees and inaugural winner:

Winner:  Amin Tejani, vice president of dealer operations, Weins Canada (Formerly Don Valley Group)

“We are extremely honored and grateful to be recognized for this award.  However, it really belongs to all of our people. It is them that have made this possible, and we thank them for the dedication and effort they put forward every day,” said Tejani.  

Nominees:

Jared Priestner, Go Auto
Bill Harboddle, Pattison Group
John Edelman, Haldimand Motors

Industry Insight

The winners of this year’s Auto Remarketing Canada awards also offered up a bit of insight and advice on their respective market segments.

First up, Carere told Auto Remarketing Canada what he considers to be the “keys” to remarketing success.

According to Carere, a remarketer must possess “The ability to understand the needs of your customers and provide them what they want as it pertains to the used-car market.”

He also explained that successful remarketers must “Provide easy access inventory through multiple channels,  i.e. online and traditional auction sales.”

Lastly, he noted it is important to have “a knowledgeable team dedicated to addressing the needs of your customers.”

And Carere, who has been in the industry for nine years, said, “I would tell new remarketers that in order to succeed in this industry, you must listen to and understand your customers.”

And for dealers, Tejani touched on a few high points of the used-car business, explaining that the certified pre-owned market is boosting sales at Weins Canada.

“We believe strongly in the certified used-car program.  It helps us differentiate our vehicles in the marketplace from our competition and also from private sellers.   The other big key is we try to retail every piece of inventory versus wholesaling them,” said Tejani. “We aren’t 100 percent there yet, but that is one of our goals.”

Tejani began working at Weins Canada in May of 1989 as a sales representative, touting more than 20 years in the dealership business.

Leveraging that experience, Tejani told Auto Remarketing Canada what he considers to be the difference between a good dealership and a great dealership.

“We have ‘buy in’ from our associates from the top down.  All departments — new, pre-owned, service and parts — have a clear understanding and belief of how important the used-car department is to the success of the entire dealership,” Tejani said.

“It helps the new-car department put deals together; it feeds service and parts.  Furthermore, the used-car department develops a reputation in the community as a good place to buy a quality pre-owned vehicle.  Everyone wins,” he concluded.

For more information on the upcoming Auto Remarketing Canda conference, presented by CarProof, see here.

Sarah Rubenoff can be reached at srubenoff@autoremarketing.com. Continue the conversation with Auto Remarketing Canada on LinkedIn and Twitter.