By Matthew Legg

Last updated 13:22, Friday, 28 November 2008

One of west Cumbria’s best known car dealers has picked up a prestigious global prize in Japan.

In a rare piece of good news for the beleaguered car sales industry, J Edgar & Son, of Rowrah, scooped the Best UK Dealership for Customer Service in the 2008 Nissan Global NSSW Awards.

The firm was the only UK dealership to be honoured in the awards.

Jason and Claire Edgar from the company flew to Nissan’s head office in Tokyo to receive the award.

Mr Edgar said: “It is an honour to receive this level of recognition and I am extremely proud of my team, who consistently strive to provide our valued, loyal customers with the best possible service.

“This represents a marvellous achievement for us as we have only held the Nissan franchise at our Rowrah site since July 2006.

“The award is due to the culmination of a major rebuild and refurbishment of our Rowrah site and the enthusiasm of all the staff to promote their new franchise by offering the same attention to customers.

“It is this high standard of customer service which has become our trademark during our 80 years plus in business.”

The NSSW award is based on the level of service dealerships provide, with customer feedback taken into account.

Car sales have slumped dramatically across the world as a result of the credit crunch and the subsequent economic downturn.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reported that new car sales fell by 21 per cent in September.

The downturn in sales has already seen jobs lost at Cumbrian car dealer GK Ford, Carlisle Airport-based car delivery firm ECM and forced Cotehill’s Just Vans vehicle sales and leasing into administration.

MLegg@cngroup.co.uk