Honda to sell it all under one roof

[UmroAyyar]

Honda to sell it all under one roof -  Idea is to tempt clients to buy more

Honda Canada Inc. is moving to a new generation of retail outlets that will offer all its consumer products at one location -- from lawnmowers and snow throwers to motorcycles, cars and trucks.

The new concept, called Honda Centre in Quebec and Honda Powerhouse in the rest of Canada, is already in place at one Honda dealership in each of Quebec and Ontario and there are more to come, said Jim Miller, senior vice-president of Honda Canada.


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20061127.wxrhonda27/BNStory/Business/home

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Very interesting and makes sense in a lot of markets, both urban and rural. I like the "Honda Centre" name myself, but know Honda is best known for engines. Find it very surprising they have more motorcycle dealers in Canada than auto dealers.

Isn't Suzuki also rolling out a similar concept as well?

[UmroAyyar]

You can actually buy a lawn-mower, ATVs and stuff AND buy a Ridgeline to haul it home.  All in one day.

[bmorton]

What about service? I'll be looking at a new Honda BF20 outboard in the next year or two but if I buy it at my local car dealership will they now have trained Honda Marine technicians on hand as well? Seems more likely that I'd have to get it serviced elsewhere.

[G0dspd]

A Honda dealer in northern New-Brunswick (who also owns the Honda franchise for ATV/Bikes/etc.) tried to do the exactly the same thing when he built his new dealership 2-3 years ago.  Honda didn't approve because he didn't just sell Honda products ... maybe they'll be more open to the idea now.

The Honda Powerhouse is not a bad concept but there are a lot of recreational dealers that carry other brands than Honda.  Maybe it's more suited to car dealerships who want to cash in on the Honda cult.  Also, it won't work so well in smaller cities where there's only a few dealerships.  They used to sell Bombardier's "Ski-Doo" brand at the local Toyota dealership ... a very funny showroom.   

[dorin]

It makes sense to me, especially on the motorcycle side.  For some reason, there are no really good Honda motorcycle dealers in Ottawa.  Maybe having the motorcycles under the same roof as the cars will make for a more professional buying experience.

[safristi]

Ain''t THAT gonna make the HI SPENDAS..Acura ..TSX...CRV's.. CUSTAMAAS  PEESED!!!!

[Panzer]

For some reason, there are no really good Honda motorcycle dealers in Ottawa.

Have you tried Wheelsport in the east end (Orleans)?  I've always been happy with the service there myself.  Both times I went to Ottawa Goodtimes Centre, no salesperson was free/available.  They always seem to have only 2 guys for a showroom that's humongous...

EDIT: Mind you, Goodtimes doesn't carry Honda.

[dorin]

I got royally screwed with on a deal for an R1 at Wheelsport.  By the owner's son nonetheless, so they're on my bad dealership list.

Overall, I found that the sales experience at motorcycle dealers makes car dealers look good in comparison.  Having said that, I had a good experience with Goodtime.

[safristi]

Goodtimes all around......

[Panzer]

I got royally screwed with on a deal for an R1 at Wheelsport.  By the owner's son nonetheless, so they're on my bad dealership list.

Who's the owner's son?  Is that Jim or is Jim the owner?

Not that I don't believe you but Jim always gave me stellar service on both my (small) bikes.  I got the both of them for a few hundred bucks under MSRP (both bikes are less than $5K new so there isn't much profit to make there) and I didn't get charged for admin, PDI or other BS fees.

The one negative thing I have to say about the place is the time it took for them to get the bikes: both over 3 weeks from giving the deposit, which is a tad too long IMO.

[Loudpedal]

I think a massive Honda dealership is a great idea.  Now if only they'd bring their personal watercraft lline to Canada.   

Suzuki does have some of their "mega" stores in certain towns and cities.   A cool concept, however, I don't know how it translates to dollars and cents.   

[dorin]

I got royally screwed with on a deal for an R1 at Wheelsport.  By the owner's son nonetheless, so they're on my bad dealership list.

Who's the owner's son?  Is that Jim or is Jim the owner?

Not that I don't believe you but Jim always gave me stellar service on both my (small) bikes.  I got the both of them for a few hundred bucks under MSRP (both bikes are less than $5K new so there isn't much profit to make there) and I didn't get charged for admin, PDI or other BS fees.

The one negative thing I have to say about the place is the time it took for them to get the bikes: both over 3 weeks from giving the deposit, which is a tad too long IMO.

I don't remember the name as it was more than six years ago.

I went in on a Saturday and talked to the one guy who is supposedly the owner's son.  We worked out a deal on a used Yamaha R1 with my SV650 as a trade-in.  By the time we agreed on all the details, it was close to closing time and the bank was closed.  So the guy said he'd rather just do all the paperwork on Monday morning when the bank is open and he had a chance to run the financing by them.  I left him my financial information and we agreed that he'd call me in Monday morning once he'd worked out all the details with the bank and I'd bring the SV in, sign the paperwork, and ride the R1 home.  Come Monday morning, I'm hanging by the phone waiting for the call, but I get no call. Finally, at noon I can't wait anymore and I call him only to be told some story about how some guy had walked in first thing that morning with cash in his hand and had bought the R1. I was just furious...  Actually, I'm still angry just recalling the incident. 

[Panzer]

Yeah I have to agree with you, this blows goats.

Maybe they cleaned up their act after losing business to bonehead moves like that.

[G0dspd]

Coming soon to a Honda Powerhouse near you! 

[safristi]

Wot is Honda's 12 Month lease on a GOAT _BLOWER!!!!??

[articsteve]

I think a massive Honda dealership is a great idea.  Now if only they'd bring their personal watercraft lline to Canada.   

Suzuki does have some of their "mega" stores in certain towns and cities.   A cool concept, however, I don't know how it translates to dollars and cents.   

Suzuki does have some of their "mega" stores in certain towns and cities.

Suzuki Superstore.  Might see one in Owen Sound next summer. 

[ovr50]

I dunno about this idea - half or more of today's car/truck salesppl don't know their product - how will they know the info on bikes, mowers, ATVs, generators, etc?? I don't get it? 

[The Mighty Duck]

If they run them properly, the same way you go into Canadian Tire and find someone in the right department...

(Cue calls of: but CT employees don't know anything!  Neither to a lot of car salesmen...  )

You can't expect one salesmen to know every department...  but you have John working "cars", and Mike working "power equipment", and Emily working "Marine".  Pretty basic organizational structure...

[safristi]

Yup a TYPICAL NO?KNOW NUFFINK Organisation...... ...cos the GOOD knowlegable staff dissapear FAST due to LOW PAY......but a YEAR ROUND business....bikes,cars,boats,ski doos..etc would encourage a good salesperson to get real SMART on all PRODUCTS REAL QUICK......