Press Releases

Honda Dealer Meetings Celebrate 60 Years

27 August, 2008 - Honda MPE has recently completed its national Power Equipment Dealer Meetings, providing dealers with a company update and performance review, while celebrating strong sales results and announcing impressive new marketing initiatives.

Held during August in Melbourne, Sydney, Gold Coast and Perth, the meetings were well attended and provided an excellent opportunity for discussion and exchange of ideas between the Power Equipment dealer network and Honda’s management. 

The theme of this year's meetings was '60 Years', a celebration of Honda's proud history which began in 1948 with production of the company's first motorcycle. Five years later, the H-Type engine was released, marking Honda's entry into power products.

Honda MPE Managing Director, Stuart Strickland, began proceedings with an entertaining review of the company's history while outlining its future direction, in light of global issues including climate change and rising fuel prices.

The company's long-term commitment to the environment came to the fore with Mr Strickland detailing Honda's ongoing dedication to research and development covering technologies as diverse as solar, hybrid-electric and hydrogen.

Honda Power Equipment Manager, Ray Briffa, said the meetings were a huge success.

"The dealer meetings covered a wide range of topics with presentations from senior management covering future company direction, sales performance and campaigns, marketing initiatives, training seminars, and parts and service matters," Mr Briffa said.

"In an effort to further increase the value of such meetings for our dealers, we expanded our agenda to include several high profile guest speakers, among these was a business coach and a prominent merchandiser who gave valuable insight into store layout and presentation."

The dealer meetings were also an opportune occasion to congratulate dealers on their efforts leading to Honda's strong year-to-date sales performance, with The Honda Shop in Western Australia taking out the award as Australia's number one Power Equipment Dealer.

Despite a significant increase in equipment sales all across the country, the highly regarded award is only bestowed to the dealership that achieves the largest sales volume of the full range of Honda MPE supplied power equipment for a single dealership.

"Despite strong competition and persistent dry conditions across many areas of the country, the last 12 months have proven to be particularly successful for Honda Power Equipment," Mr Briffa said.

"I congratulate The Honda Shop on winning Australia's number one Power Equipment Dealer award, as well as commend all dealerships across the country for the strong sales results; our performance is testament to Honda's advanced four-stroke product range which offers many benefits over competing brands.

"Honda Power Equipment's easy-starting nature, combined with low fuel consumption, reduced exhaust and noise emissions, renowned durability and the convenience of not having to mix fuel and oil, are all attractive buying propositions for customers."

To further increase Honda's consumer awareness, the company announced an aggressive new advertising and marketing campaign including television and print advertisements, complemented by a public relations program and eye-catching new point of sale materials.

Dealers were also provided with details of an incentive program to Japan for this financial year's top 60 top performers and their partners.

Each meeting concluded with a colourful awards ceremony and gala dinner, allowing participants to unwind and reflect on the year's success.

Honda is one of few manufacturers offering a dedicated four-stroke power equipment range covering equipment including lawnmowers, brushcutters, generators, pumps, engines, tillers and a blower and hedgecutter.