GATR Named Volvo Trucks’ 2011 U.S. Dealer of the Year

Volvo Trucks recently named GATR of Sauk Rapids, Minn. the 2011 U.S. Dealer of the Year.
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The annual award honors the dealership’s organization and employees for overall accomplishment and performance. Selection criteria for the award includes outstanding performance in new truck and parts sales, growth in market share, penetration of Volvo engines, customer satisfaction index and investment in facilities.

The dealership opened its doors in 1962 as Grile Auto & Truck Repair and later acquired a Volvo franchise in 1994. Dealer principal Bob Neitzke purchased the dealership in 2000 and renamed the company GATR, the acronym associated with the business during the Grile family’s many years of ownership. The full-service location features extensive parts and service departments, new and used truck sales, rental and leasing services and a body shop and detailing facility.
 
“It’s an honor to recognize GATR’s accomplishments,” said Terry Billings, Volvo Trucks vice president, sales – U.S. “Bob Neitzke and his team deliver top-notch service and are dedicated to customer satisfaction. GATR is a model for success in all aspects of the dealership.”

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GATR dealer principal Bob Neitzke receives the 2011 U.S. Dealer of the Year award. From left to right are Kelly Sheehan, chair of Volvo’s Dealer Advisory Council, Bob Neitzke, Ron Huibers, president, Volvo Trucks North American Sales & Marketing and Terry Billings, Volvo Trucks vice president, sales – U.S.

Volvo Trucks North America’s operations and products are guided by the company’s three core values: Quality, Safety and Environmental Care. The Volvo VN, VHD and VAH trucks are assembled in the United States at the New River Valley Plant in Dublin, Virginia, while Volvo engines for North America are assembled in Hagerstown, Maryland. Both plants are certified to ISO14001 environmental and ISO9001 quality standards.

Volvo Trucks North America is part of the Volvo Group, one of the world's leading manufacturers of trucks, buses and construction equipment, drive systems for marine and industrial applications, aerospace components and services, and one of the world's leading producers of heavy-diesel engines (9-16 liter). The Group also provides complete solutions for financing and service. The Volvo Group, which employs almost 118,000 people, has production facilities in 19 countries and sells their products in more than 180 markets. Volvo Group sales for 2011 amounted to nearly $47.8 billion. The Volvo Group is a publicly-held company headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden. Volvo Shares are listed on Nasdaq OMX Nordic Exchange and are traded OTC in the U.S.

July 11, 2012

For further information, please contact Brandon Borgna, Volvo Trucks North America, phone 336-393-2143, email brandon.borgna@volvo.com

www.volvotrucks.us.com