A panel composed of business and engineering faculty from the Tauber Institute for Global Operations at the University of Michigan selected the 46th annual TIME Dealer of the Year Award finalists from each of the four National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) regions.  2015 TIME Dealer of the Year winner Andy Crews received his award during the opening business session of NADA’s annual convention in San Francisco on January 23, 2015.

NADA, founded in 1917, represents more than 16,000 new-car and -truck dealers, with 32,500 domestic and international franchises.  It has partnered with TIME to honor outstanding new-car dealers across America  who  demonstrate exceptional performance in their dealerships and a commitment to improving their communities.  Ally Financial, a leading automotive finance services company, is the exclusive sponsor of the award.

The Tauber Institute recently assumed responsibility for the judging; faculty from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business had been choosing award finalists for several years.  In appreciation of the Tauber Institute’s services, scholarships will be awarded to Tauber students each year on behalf of TIME.

The TIME Dealer of the Year Award has been called the most prestigious honor a new car dealer can receive.  Dealers are nominated by members of the Automotive Trade Association Executives (ATAE), with entry forms, along with related photos, submitted by September 15.  After the Tauber Institute panel chooses the four finalists, a group of judges known for their professionalism, integrity and high standards will then select the national winner, who will be named the 2015 TIME Dealer of the Year.

Competitors are evaluated both on the business practices in their dealerships and on their contribution to their community.  Judging criteria for the business component include customer satisfaction; personnel competence, training, attitude and record of service; financial status; ethics; new-car sales record; used-car sales record; service sales record; share of market; customer satisfaction; physical plant and facilities; and dealer association participation.  Judging criteria for the community component are service to community and humanity; civic, political and educational activities; and additional contributions to benefit others.