A regional automotive dealer group is celebrating after receiving national recognition for its van centres’ success and customer service.

Swansway Group was awarded the title of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Most Valued Van Centre Group 2013, at a recent gala event, hosted by the brand.

With sites in Lancashire, Wrexham, Birmingham and Liverpool, Swansway Group received the award after achieving consistently high levels of customer satisfaction and business performance from each of the businesses within the group.

Speaking of the accolade Swansway Group’s director, Peter Smyth, said: "This award recognises the very best in the Volkswagen Van Centre network so we are absolutely thrilled that all our sites have performed so well."

Swansway Group is a family owned and run business which has traded for more than 45 years. It presently operates 17 approved franchises across the North West and West Midlands. It acquired its first Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles site in 2005.

Smyth added: "Our commercial vehicle empire began in Preston when we purchased our Lancashire franchise. Two years later came Wrexham and another two years on we purchased the Birmingham business. More recently, in 2011, we launched our largest van centre in Liverpool.

"This award is testament to the hard work of our employees who continually strive to deliver the best service. It makes me very proud to have such a dedicated team."

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles monitors all aspects of its van centres, from customer satisfaction and aftersales through to sales and key business performance. Scores are collated throughout the year and are accumulated into an annual result.