Powerhouse dealer

Author: Michele Lawson

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The 2010 Honda Insight demonstrates the company's continuing commitment to developing hybrid technologies.

Barrie Honda is about to celebrate is one-year anniversary as a full-line dealership and is optimistically looking forward to warmer weather. “We have felt the impact and have seen a slowdown in business,” admits general manager Robert Walker. “But overall, it’s certainly not as drastic as people may think and over the past few weeks, things have started to pick up. “We’re pretty excited about the spring and summer.” With dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles, power machinery and marine equipment among the inventory of the new Barrie Honda Powerhouse, it’s not just about hitting the open road anymore. “It’s an initiative by Honda Canada to bring all their products under one roof in key markets,” Walker explains about Powerhouse. “We’re considered a key market for this initiative because of the close connection to the manufacturing plant in Alliston. “The diversification has added to our business and has allowed us to offer more products and touch other markets.” The Mapleview Drive location has come a long way since Honda landed in Canada in the mid-1970s. That was also the year when current owner Greg Johnston started working at his father’s Volkswagon dealership, that had been operating since 1968. Kerv Johnston also bought a Honda franchise at that time and soon the writing was on the wall. As the dealership blossomed, it grew out of one location after another until it landed in its current location in 1994, a year when the south end of Barrie was under heavy construction. With a collision centre already operating, Barrie Honda soon acquired additional property next door to open a used car centre and, later, to build a used-car showroom and service centre. “We paved the lot, installed the lights and set up a sales trailer,” cites the company history of those first expansion steps on Mapleview. Through this time, the Honda Civic continued to be strong draw, earning a reputation for the number-one selling car for 10 years in a row. In the broader category of number-one selling vehicle, the Ford pick-up truck had denied the Civic top spot for years. “Then, in 2008, the Civic surpassed it,” Walker says happily. “It speaks volumes of the quality and versatility of the Civic. Certainly the consumer recognizes that.” It’s perhaps surprising then, that the Civic hasn’t been the sole top performer on the sales floor in recent months. “We’re seeing more of a broader-based buying pattern than we have in the past,” he says. “Normally, the Honda Civic would be leading the way. In the most recent market, that’s not the case. We’re seeing a broad-based buying pattern over our entire lineup.” Regardless of the chosen model, says Walker, “there has never been a better time to buy a Honda.” Inventory levels are higher as are consumer incentives, he adds. But interest rates are way down. “It’s the best time to buy that I have seen in my 23 years in the business,” he says. The deals are unprecedented. With an entirely new division in place, Walker extends an open invitation to visit the entire facility and tour the Powerhouse. For more information, first visit the dealership online at www.BarrieHonda.com.