Franchise Dealer Survey: In the first of a series of features for AM-online, assessing the standards of customer service at dealerships across the UK, our mystery shopper visits six dealerships in Coventry, Allen Ford, Nick Whale Toyota, Gerard Mann Mercedes Benz, Tollbar Coventry Volvo, Coventry Mazda and Tachbrook Honda. Our man of mystery wonders whether he would have had more success buying a car if he'd turned up 'naked on horseback'.
Honda has launched an aftersales direct marketing campaign aimed at boosting its dealers' aftersales' business.
Honda's all new CR-V – the only British built car making its world debut at this month's Tokyo Motor Show – is new from-the-ground-up. It features a freshly designed powertrain and major new features and equipment.
Honda dealers are using the internet to advise customers whether they should opt for a company car or take a cash payment.
The first shipment of British-built Honda Civics destined for Japan, is due to set sail from Southampton today, three weeks after the company's second UK plant opened in Swindon.
Honda admits it faces a struggle to stop sales of its new Jazz supermini (on UK sale arch) from hitting profit-making 3dr/5dr Civic.
User-choosers with a £16,000 budget could well be going faster in the future if Honda has its way. Its new Civic Type-R makes an impressive hot-hatch case for itself and the firm believes that company money will be paying for a third of all cars sold.
Honda is to offer driving lessons to every buyer of its new Civic Type-R.
Honda (UK) and BCA united for a special closed sale at Nottingham auction centre featuring more than 250 cars direct from Honda and attracted 60 franchised dealers from across the UK.
Anyone who spent the early part of their driving careers with a GTi as their workhorse are being targeted by Honda's newest car in the UK, the Stream.
Honda has introduced online purchasing via its www.honda.co.uk website for all approved used cars. The move, intended to boost business for Honda retailers by offering another route to market, enables customers to source cars from the nationwide dealer network.
Honda's second car plant at Swindon was officially opened today by the company's President and CEO, Hiroyuki Yoshino. The opening underlines Honda's commitment and confidence in Britain as its manufacturing base in Europe.
Honda UK plans to give core dealers larger franchise territories as it prepares for a possible “welcome” end to Block Exemption.
Honda will be making its first bid for a share of the growing diesel market in January with common rail diesel versions of the Civic. The Civic 1.7 CTDi will make its first appearance at the Frankfurt International Motor Show.
Honda UK has bought the freehold of three of its dealerships in the East Midlands and Lookers will run the retail operation which has a £22m annual turnover.
Lookers has expanded its Honda operations with the acquisition of a major new market area covering Derby and Nottingham.
Honda Motors has announced group profits up an impressive 40% between April and June, year on year, to a quarterly record, boosted by the weak yen and higher motorcycle sales.
The Honda Insight has been shortlisted for a design award. The hybrid car is one of six entries in the Design Sense Award, alongside such product innovations as the interlocking brick, the Motorola mobile phone and Eco Works office furniture.
Honda is to use Isuzu diesel engines in a bid to boost European sales. Production of the 1.7-litre diesel engine will start in November at the Polish Isuzu plant.
Honda's second car plant at Swindon has been completed on schedule.
