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Honoring Excellence in Automotive Retail: Cars.com 2025 Dealer of the Year Awards

Cars.com has proudly announced the winners of its 2025 Dealer of the Year Awards, highlighting the best automotive dealers across North America. This annual recognition is not just a title; it reflects a commitment to superior customer service, based on insights from over 1.3 million consumer reviews collected in 2024. Winners were determined by evaluating several factors that contribute to repeat business and consumer satisfaction, including average star ratings, total reviews, and how promptly dealers respond to feedback.

Acknowledging the Backbone of the Industry

"Local dealerships are the foundation of the automotive sector," expressed Jamie Oldershaw, vice president of customer experience at Cars.com. He highlighted that these awards aim to celebrate those dealers who genuinely strive to enhance customer experiences. With a staggering total of 13 million reviews available on Cars.com, it provides invaluable insights for consumers, ensuring they select a dealership that meets their expectations while helping dealers to improve their operations.

The competition this year was intense, with nearly 90% of the honorees actively addressing consumer reviews. This proactive approach contrasts sharply with only 45% engagement from non-winning dealerships. The high level of responsiveness, coupled with individual accountability from dealership staff, proves critical in determining success. Notably, 60% of award-winning dealers utilize Employee Profile Pages, offering a unique glimpse into their team's performance, and last year alone, over 200,000 dealership employees received more than 1.4 million ratings via Cars.com.

Celebrated Winners Across the Regions

This year, the Dealer of the Year Awards recognized a diverse array of regional winners:

• - Mid-Atlantic: Mercedes-Benz of Edison - A Ray Catena Dealership
• - Midwest: Phillips Chevrolet
• - New England: Toyota of Braintree
• - Plains: Reliable Lexus
• - Rocky Mountain: Strong Volkswagen
• - Southeast: Honda of Concord
• - Southwest: DM Leasing - Fort Worth
• - West: Toyota of Hemet

In addition, there were notable National Brand Winners who were acknowledged for their exceptional service:

• - Acura: Hendrick Acura
• - Audi: Audi Springfield
• - BMW: Bill Jacobs BMW
• - Chevrolet: Phillips Chevrolet
• - Subaru: Tucson Subaru
• - Volkswagen: City Volkswagen of Evanston
• - Volvo: Smythe Volvo
• - And many more remarkable brands!

The Role of Brand Experience

Beyond the exceptional performance of individual dealers, the broader brand reputation significantly impacts consumer trust and loyalty. As shoppers engage with dealerships, they consider how well automakers enhance transparency, accountability, and transaction efficiency throughout their networks.

Cars.com evaluates these factors by examining customer feedback across six categories: pricing transparency, trade-in experience, transaction speed, financing experience, review responsiveness, and vehicle inquiry responsiveness. Over a 24-month assessment period, Subaru emerged as the standout brand, alongside Acura and Volvo in the luxury segment, all achieving the highest overall ratings.

Award Methodology

The methodology for selecting the Dealer of the Year involves evaluating dealerships that garnered at least 25 reviews based on their average star ratings and the total number of reviews written during the calendar year of 2024. The responsiveness of management to these reviews also plays a vital role in determining the winners.

About Cars.com

Founded in 1998 and based in Chicago, Cars.com stands as the leading automotive marketplace, attracting nearly 30 million consumers each month. The company offers a wealth of data and tools, powered by AI technology, to enhance the car-buying and selling process. As a central hub connecting consumers with local dealerships, Cars.com continues to revolutionize the automotive industry.

For additional details, visit Cars.com to explore the complete list of awards and celebrate the excellence within the automotive retail sector.