Paul Philpott Wins Motor Trader Outstanding Achievement Award

LONDON – July 12, 2013: Paul Philpott, President and Chief Executive of Kia Motors (UK) Limited has been awarded the 2013 Motor Trader Outstanding Achievement Award, sponsored by HPI Driveaway in association with Swinton.

Presented by Motor Trader Editor Curtis Hutchinson, the award is made to recognise the individual who, in the opinion of a panel of independent judges, has done most to raise the profile and reputation of the UK motor trade.

Hutchinson said: “Paul Philpott has played a pivotal role in putting Kia on the map in the UK and making it such a popular brand among dealers and customers.

“He first led Kia in the UK from 2007 until 2009 where his close focus was on establishing a retail market and building a professional dealer network. Identified as a rising star by Kia he spent the next three years as Chief Operating Officer of Kia Motors Europe, responsible for both introducing the industry leading seven year warranty package and making Kia the fastest growing car brand on the continent.

“He returned to the UK in 2012 as the carmaker’s first non-Korean President and CEO of any subsidiary in Europe,” he added.

Philpott said: “This is a great honour for me personally but it also recognises the excellent partnership we have built with a tremendous dealer network and acknowledges the hard work the Kia team in the UK and across Europe have put in over several years.

“I have always believed that unless we as a manufacturer seek to give our dealer partners the very best support we cannot demand that they, in turn, deliver the very best experience to our customers. With happy and satisfied customers, a profitable and motivated dealer network and a committed manufacturer team we can continue to build Kia into a strong and sustainable brand both here in the UK and around the globe. I am delighted and proud that Motor Trader has recognised that,” he commented.

During Philpott’s time with Kia in the UK and Europe, the business grew from delivering 29,372 vehicles in 2007 to 66,629 in 2012 and is on course to hit a new record of more than 70,000 vehicles this year. Kia has just announced a record half-year performance of 37,178 sales representing a market share of 3.2 per cent.