PORTLAND, Ore. Freightliner has recognized its top dealers through its ASPIRE program and Dealer of the Year Award, with several Canadian dealers among the winners.

The company’s Dealer of the Year award went to Freightliner of Evansville Inc., located in Evansville, Ind. The dealership displayed exceptional dedication and performance, Freightliner officials announced. The award was presented to Rip Nichols, president and general sales manager of the dealership.

The ASPIRE program is designed to Acknowledge Sales, Parts and service, Image and Relationship Excellence. Freightliner dealerships that demonstrate superior sales satisfaction, customer service and achieve high levels of performance are rewarded under the program.

“Since we introduced the ASPIRE program to dealers last year, we have seen a significant increase in sales performance and marked enthusiasm throughout our dealer network,” said Mark Lampert, senior vice-president, sales and marketing, Freightliner Trucks. “I’m proud to see that our dealers have embraced this program and continue to achieve the goals set forth in the ASPIRE Program.”

“I think the ASPIRE Program is a motivating factor for employees,” award winner Nichols added. “The impact of winning this award will be very beneficial to our dealership. I believe success breeds success.”

Freightliner dealers who received ASPIRE awards fell into one of three levels of achievement: Summit, Alpine and Peak.

Canadian winners included: First Truck Center, Inc., Edmonton, Alta., Summit; Peace Country Freightliner, Ltd., Grand Prairie, Alta., Summit; Freightliner of Red Deer, Red Deer, Alta., Alpine; Team Truck Centers (London), Ltd., London, Ont., Alpine; Freightliner Sterling Mont-Laurier, Mont-Laurier, Que., Alpine; Camions Freightliner Riviere-du-Loup, Inc., Riviere-du-Loup, Que., Alpine; and Mabo Truck Center, Inc., Val D’Or, Que., Alpine.