Enhanced dealer relations part of new Honda initiatives
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. announced important organizational changes intended to better serve customers and dealers. These updates, which entail new roles for a number of Honda Associates and are effective immediately, expand upon initiatives that Honda has already launched, including a Next-Generation New Owner Survey and the reestablishment of the Powersports Dealer Advisory Board.
Chief among the changes is the formation of a dedicated Customer and Dealer Services group that focuses on those areas that directly interface with customers and dealers. Headed by Chuck Miller, this group is responsible for Sales Training, Customer Relations, Rider Education, and vehicle distribution.
In another move, Honda has reinforced its Sales Operations group. Headed by Kevin Mills, this group is responsible for Sales Promotions (now under the management of Michael Rizner), Dealer Development (now under the management of Mike Wallace), Field Sales, Export Sales and Sales Planning.
To better facilitate dealer opportunities for product familiarization, a new dealer-experiential component has been added to the ongoing consumer demo activities of Honda’s Experiential Marketing Department. Responsibilities include events such as the dealer demo and training portion of last January’s Gold Wing Launch Event in Austin, Texas.
“We’re pleased with these changes, which will help Honda grow while aligning with our business priorities,” said Chuck Boderman, vice president of the Motorcycle Division at American Honda. “Our increased commitment to our dealer-experiential activities has been a priority request from dealers, and I’m excited about the positive dealer response to our Gold Wing events this year. In addition, our new Dealer and Customer Services group will increase our cross functional efforts with our 58 District Sales and Service representatives to strengthen our value and relationship with our customers and dealers.”