Dealer of Excellence Program
Recognizing Automotive Retailers for an Outstanding Sales Experience
The JD Power Dealer of Excellence Program is a certification reserved for retailers who deliver an outstanding sales experience based on JD Power’s trusted customer satisfaction benchmarks and best practices.
What the Study Measures
What the Certification Represents
Dealer of Excellence recognizes new vehicle dealerships that consistently meet or exceed JD Power performance standards for sales experience quality, transparency and customer satisfaction.
Only the top 2–3% of all new-vehicle dealers across the U.S. and Canada—approximately 400 annually—qualify for certification.
How It Works
How the Dealer of Excellence Program Works
• Requires pre-qualified dealers to complete an in-person JD Power audit
• Evaluates performance against sales standards focused on inventory and pricing transparency
• U.S. Eligibility Criteria: Top-performing dealerships qualify based on SSI results and verified in-dealership best practices.
• Canada Eligibility Criteria: Dealerships qualify by meeting JD Power SSI benchmarks and validated sales experience standards.
Core Strengths
Stronger Trust Signals, Greater Credibility
• Provides credible, third-party validation of a dealer’s commitment to sales satisfaction and best practices
• Helps buyers identify customer-centric auto retailers in their region
• Reinforces internal performance discipline across staff and departments
Business Impact
Build Trust, Increase Dealer Performance
• Strengthens marketing with trusted recognition from JD Power
• Drives alignment with best practices to improve the sales experience
• Differentiates customer-focused dealerships in their local markets
• Builds consumer confidence before they set foot in the showroom
Who should use it
Designed for Automotive Retailers
• Dealer principals and ownership groups
• Retail organizations focused on delivering stand out sales experiences
PowerSource
Insights Available at a Touch of a Button
Subscribers to this study have full access to benchmark reporting, competitor analysis, and more with PowerSource.
