Toyota celebrates Europe’s top retailers with 2025 Ichiban awards in Bologna
- 46 retailers from all over Europe honoured with the 2025 Toyota Ichiban award
- 6 retailers receive the exclusive ‘Going Beyond’ distinction for exceptional commitment
- Ceremony held in Bologna, Italy, celebrating excellence in the heart of Motor Valley
Bologna, 27 June 2025 - Toyota Motor Europe has recognised 46 outstanding retailers with the 2025 Ichiban award. These retailers stood out among more than 2,500 across Europe for their dedication to delivering exceptional customer experience. Six retailers received the ‘Going Beyond’ award, a special distinction for those who consistently exceed expectations.
The winners of the Ichiban Award have earned this honour through consistency, care and a deep understanding of what matters to people. They remind us that great customer experience is built one person, one handshake at a time, that going beyond is not an exception, but a habit. The next chapter of Toyota in Europe is being written right now – and these retailers are the co-authors on this exciting journey, delivering on changing customer needs and developing trusted, lasting relationships.
The award ceremony, held from 24 to 26 of June in Bologna, Italy, brought the winners together in the heart of Motor Valley, a region steeped in automotive heritage. This year’s theme drew inspiration from the track, where precision, discipline and teamwork define success. The high-performing teams recognised today have shown an exceptional ability to work together and excel under pressure. It is this collective effort that has enabled these retailers to earn the prestigious Ichiban award.
The Ichiban award is more than a trophy. It is a mark of trust earned through action. For Toyota, it reflects a simple truth: when retailers succeed, customers stay.
| Ichiban award winners | |
| Country | Retailer |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | AUTO NUIĆ d.o.o. |
| Croatia | Toyota Centar Zagreb d.o.o. |
| Serbia | GOTA CAR D.O.O. NOVI SAD |
| Slovenia | Toyota Center Ljubljana d.o.o. |
| Austria | Gady Handelsgesellschaft m.b.H. |
| Bulgaria | Тойота Тиксим ЕООД |
| Estonia | Elke Rakvere |
| Latvia | WESS Motors Berģi |
| Lithuania | Tokvila |
| Belgium | De Bruyn Vilvoorde |
| Georgia | Toyota Center Tegeta LLC |
| Hungary | Koto Autóház |
| Czech Republic | C&K člen skupiny AUTO UH a.s., Vídeňská - Brno |
| Slovakia | AUTOKLUB, a. s. |
| Denmark | STS Biler A/S, Holstebro |
| Finland | Salon Passeliauto Oy |
| France | JNB AUTO |
| FG AUTOMOBILES BETHUNE | |
| GCA CHERBOURG | |
| Germany | Autohaus Bach GmbH & Co. KG |
| Szabo GmbH | |
| Autohaus Hofmann GmbH | |
| Greece | ΠΑΠΑΚΑΛΙΑΤΗΣ ΑΕ |
| Ireland | Brian Geary Car Sales Limited |
| Israel | Rechev Netanya LTD |
| Italy | Ferri Auto |
| Fuji Auto | |
| E.N.A. | |
| Kazakhstan | Тойота Сити Алматы |
| Netherlands | Toyota Van Ekris Mijdrecht |
| Norway | Toyota Sandefjord |
| Poland | Toyota Jaworski Auto Bydgoszcz |
| Toyota Jaworski Auto Włocławek | |
| Toyota Dobrygowski Lubin | |
| Portugal | Terauto |
| Romania | PROFI AUTO |
| Spain | BREOGAN MOTOR |
| TOYOTA OURENSE | |
| GAMBOA ECOAUTO | |
| Sweden | Erlings Bil, Uddevalla |
| Turkey | Toyota Plaza Onatça |
| Toyota Plaza Boranlar | |
| United Kingdom | Helensburgh Toyota |
| RRG Bury | |
| RRG Rochdale | |
| Ukraine | Тойота Центр Вінниця «Преміум Мотор» |
| Going Beyond award winners | ||
| Category | Country | Retailer |
| Transformation | Sweden | Erlings Bil, Uddevalla |
| Brand & Communication | Georgia | Toyota Center Tegeta LLC |
| Employee Loyalty | Israel | Rechev Netanya LTD |
| Contribution to Society | Romania | PROFI AUTO |
| Employee Engagement | UK | Helensburgh Toyota |
| Sustainability | France | GCA |
Toyota Motor Europe NV/SA (TME) oversees the wholesale sales and marketing of Toyota, GR (Gazoo Racing) and Lexus vehicles and parts and accessories, as well as Toyota’s European manufacturing and engineering operations. Toyota directly employs over 26,000 people and has invested over EUR 12 billion in Europe since 1990. Its eight European manufacturing plants are located in Portugal, the UK, France, Poland, Czech Republic and Turkey. Today, there are approximately 14.7 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles on European roads, whose drivers are supported by a network of 28 National Marketing and Sales Companies and around 2,800 retail sales outlets in 53 countries (EU, UK, EFTA countries , Israel, Turkey and other Eastern European countries). In 2024, TME sold 1,217,132 vehicles in Europe for a 7.1% market share. For more information, visit www.toyota-europe.com.
Toyota believes that when people are free to move, anything is possible. In the pursuit of "Mobility for All", Toyota aims to create safer, more connected, inclusive and sustainable mobility to achieve its mission of producing “Happiness for All”. In Europe, TME launched the KINTO mobility brand which offers a range of mobility services in 20 countries, and is growing its business-to-business sales of zero-emission fuel cell products and engineering support. Contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Toyota is working to achieve carbon neutrality in its entire business across Europe. A historic leader in CO2 reduction in Europe, TME aims to achieve 100% CO2 reduction in all new vehicles in Western Europe by 2035 and will continue to offer a full range of electrified powertrains to customers across the region with its hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery and fuel cell electric vehicles.