Customer satisfaction drives Ireland’s award

IRELAND Jeep has been named Queensland regional dealer northern zone of the year for the first time.

Dealer-principal David Ireland said it was the first time since Irelands were appointed a Jeep dealer in 1995 that it had received the award.

“We’re very chuffed. We’ve received the award for the whole experience involving service, parts and sales,” he said.

Mr Ireland said the award was mainly judged on feedback from customers who were surveyed within 48 hours of taking delivery of their vehicle.

He said the dealership was focused on customer service.

“We have a policy of fixing it the first time, that’s a high priority” Mr Ireland said.

“We are also beefing up our parts supply which should bring the price down, especially for owners of older Jeeps.

“While we have capped priced servicing (for new models), items such as brakes and other parts should become a lot cheaper for owners of older models.”

Mr Ireland said the dealership was also judged on having the right stock and the right advertising.

He said there had been widespread changes at Fiat Chrysler Australia, which included Jeep, from the new managing director Kevin Flynn to new marketing, sales and parts managers.

“This is all for the better and we are excited about the future with Jeep,” Mr Ireland said.

He said there were exciting new models arriving, including the Gladiator dual-cab 4WD ute. Jeep is now accepting registrations of interest and it is due in April or May.

Today Jeep enthusiasts can get a sneak peek at the yet-tobe released Gladiator dual cab ute.

Ireland Jeep has secured a left-hand-drive model and it will be on display at 217 Mulgrave

Rd next to Ireland Mitsubishi from 9am-5pm daily.

Mr Ireland said Jeep was adding more seats to their SUV models.

“We will have seven seats across the range from the biggest to the smallest,” Mr Ireland said.

He said a bigger Jeep than the Grand Cherokee was in the development stage which would be about the size of a Range Rover. It is due in the second quarter of next year.

Mr Ireland said the Grand Cherokee, priced from $53,117 to $148,479, was their bestseller followed by the mid-sized Compass from $28,950 to $43,950.

Picture: ANNA ROGERS WINNING TEAM: Ireland’s service manager Rhett Hooper, general manager parts Brett Milner, customer relations Stef Matthews, parts manager Travis Nation, sales executive Kraig Mechefske and new car manager Steve Kelly with joint managing director of Ireland’s of Cairns David Ireland.