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 Zach Cardis Earns Second Consecutive Win At 11th Annual Product Knowledge Competition
Zeigler Auto Group has named Zach Cardis of Zeigler Ford of Lowell as its 11th Annual Product Knowledge Competition winner. Cardis took the top spot for the second year in a row after beating out 24 other team members in the annual, three-day competition that took place on November 8th, 9th, and 11th; with the award announcement happening today, Monday, November 21, 2022 at the Trak-Houz Bar & Grill. Ted Rabourn and Nick Fioravanti were also announced as second and third place winners, respectively.Â
Kalamazoo, Michigan (November 22, 2022) - Zeigler Auto Group's 11th Annual Product Knowledge Competition announced Zach Cardis as its winner. This is the second consecutive win for Cardis, who won for the first time last year. The award ceremony-which took place today, Monday, November 21, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. at the Trak-Houz Bar & Grill-was live-streamed by Zeigler's Driving Vision Podcast, hosted by Sam D'Arc. After the awards ceremony, a cake was brought out and everyone sang Sam Happy Birthday.
The 2022 Zeigler Product Knowledge Competition Championship challenges the dealer group's top salespeople to earn the coveted title with each dealership sending off a finalist to compete. All Zeigler dealerships participated at a store-level competition to select a top-level salesperson that competes in the finals. A total of 25 top team members across four states put their product knowledge to the test over three days on November 8th, 9th, and 11th.Â
As this year's winner, Cardis, who represented Zeigler Ford of Lowell, took home bragging rights, a beautiful crystal trophy, plus his choice of a luxury gift or trip. As for his strategy to win, he tells D'Arc that he would practice 50 times a day in the back lot and went a week without selling a car. After he got his routine down, his customers all got to see him practice with 10 min walk around demonstrations for cars they were interested in.
"Wow! Winning for a second time is an absolute honor! Just working for this auto group is an absolute honor. Putting on a walk around event means so much to a salesperson to be able to gain recognition and show off your skillset in front of everybody. Huge thank you to everybody that helped keep the trophy in Lowell. I have a great supporting cast that I call family. I couldn't do it without them!Â
One final thank you to Aaron, Mike, Ariah, Monty, Dustin and Matt for the opportunity."
Zach Cardis, Zeigler Ford of Lowell
11th Annual Product Knowledge Competition Championship Winner
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(Zach Cardis, 11th Annual Product Knowledge Competition Championship Winner with Aaron Zeigler, Mike Van Ryn & Ariah Daniels)Â
  "Each year our product knowledge competition gets tougher and tougher. 2022 did not disappoint! Our winners are so passionate about their product and their standard of excellence shows toward our customers. Congratulations to each individual winner!" said Mike Van Ryn, director of talent acquisition at Zeigler Auto Group. Van Ryn hosted the awards ceremony this year alongside Aaron Zeigler and Ariah Daniels.
Ted Rabourn, Zeigler Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Grandville
SECOND PLACE WINNER
 (Ted Rabourn, 2nd Place Winner - 11th Annual Product Knowledge Competition Championship with Aaron Zeigler, Mike Van Ryn and Ariah Daniels)
Ted Rabourn of Zeigler Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Grandville came in 2nd place, with Nick Fioravanti of Zeigler Chevy of Schaumburg taking 3rd place. The winners were announced during Zeigler's 11th Annual Product Knowledge Competition Championship Award Ceremony Dinner which included all competitors as well as a number of Zeigler executives.Â
"It is an honor to be a part of this organization and it means a lot to be recognized for something that I love doing"
Nick Fioravanti, Zeigler Chevy of Schaumburg
THIRD PLACE WINNER
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(Nick Fioravanti, 3rd Place Winner - 11th Annual Product Knowledge Competition Championship with Aaron Zeigler, Mike Van Ryn & Ariah Daniels)
ABOUT ZEIGLER AUTOMOTIVE GROUP
Zeigler Automotive Group is one of the largest privately-owned dealer groups in the U.S. with 78 franchises across 35 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Vehicle brands represented include all of the domestic and the majority of the imported manufacturers.
 Besides its extensive automotive portfolio, the organization owns and operates Zeigler Motorsports, an 85,000-square-foot motorsports dealership and action park, offering 19 different powersports brands, plus its own onsite restaurant: Trak Houz Bar & Grill. Additionally, Zeigler Motorsports houses the Elevate Leadership & Team Building Academy, an executive training company.
 The Kalamazoo-based dealer group also owns and operates Zeigler Pre-Owned of Chicago, a Carquest Auto Parts store, three Byrider franchises, three finance companies, several insurance firms, and a leasing firm.
 Founded in 1975, the organization employs over 2,300 people, ranking among the top 1% of automotive dealers in the nation with estimated annual sales of $2.2 billion for 2022. The family-owned and operated company is well known for its commitment to both customer service and employee satisfaction. Zeigler is regularly recognized as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in the Nation, also earning similar accolades in Wisconsin, Chicago, and Michigan.
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