New Zealand's Southpac Trucks has been crowned Australasia's Kenworth Dealer of the Year 2017 for outstanding sales, service and support.

It's the first time that the Kiwi Kenworth operation has earned the award – edging out 25 Aussie dealers to achieve the honour.

The award, which is highly sought-after by Kenworth dealers, acknowledges excellence in five main areas – overall dealer performance, truck sales, parts sales, finance and customer support.

Southpac backed up the premium award with the PACCAR Australia Service Dealer of the Year 2017 as well, for outstanding service.

PACCAR Australia sales and marketing director Brad May congratulated Southpac CEO Maarten Durent and chairman (and Colonial Motor Company CEO) Graeme Gibbons, for their "outstanding standards for Kenworth sales, service and support and their overall very impressive performance.

"The Kenworth Dealer of the Year is the result of many factors – not just about who sells the most trucks, but which dealer provides the best overall performance for the customer. And the award recognises many achievements over the year."

Southpac's performance was an example of "how, when a team works together to deliver superior value for its customers, it can achieve great results. This dealer continues to be successful because of its single-minded commitment to customers.

"They had a really big year and while they did all the things that were expected, it was the way the team at Southpac supports its customers – providing superior service and doing everything right by the customer in every facet of the business.

"Their continued investment in new dealerships and facility upgrades and training their people is outstanding – and the result is evident. It would be difficult to find another group that has the culture of success and growth mindset that Southpac Trucks has," May added.

Durent says there was "a huge effort put in by everyone across the entire company, and the NZ dealer network, and it's great for them to be recognised for all their hard work.

"We're so proud to win this and are looking forward to sharing it with everyone."

Gibbons says: "When we took over the business 25 years ago we made a commitment not to let the factory get in the way of providing exceptional customer service. We just work to solve all customer issues upfront, and worry about the detail later.

"This wasn't achieved by just one or two people – it was achieved by our entire team. We love what we do and love trucks and to receive this award makes a great thing even better."

The Manukau City-based Southpac now has branches in Hamilton, Rotorua and Christchurch, plus 18 parts and service dealers around the country.