HONDA SA DOING BUSINESS WITH SADC COUNTRIES

Honda South Africa is expanding its commercial operations, and has commenced selling its products in the SADC region. As a result, the company, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, will become known as Honda Motor Southern Africa.

The renamed company will sell Honda passenger cars and SUVs, as well as Honda motorcycles, Honda power products and Honda Marine models, to all SADC countries. These include Mauritius, Tanzania, Zambia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Angola, Seychelles, Malawi and Uganda.

The formation of Honda Motor Southern Africa is an important step for the brand, as it provides Honda with a stepping stone into Southern Africa. The new entity will act as a regional hub for Honda Motor Japan, and a dedicated export division has already been set up internally to support the SADC market.

The announcement is the latest in a long line of achievements from the local Honda subsidiary, which has grown from modest beginnings in October 2000 to become a major national and now regional player on the subcontinent.

Initially operating from humble premises in Khayalami, Honda SA had a head office headcount of just 45 persons, and retail network of 36 motorcycle and 30 power product dealers. Its automotive dealer network had to be started from scratch, with an initial five dealers selling just three passenger car models.

Since then, the company has gone from strength to strength, collecting many awards and accolades along the way. These include a string of JD Power product quality and customer satisfaction awards (more than any other brand), and two SA Car Of The Year titles.

While the expansion opens new doors and opportunities for Honda in its new countries of operation, the development is also good news for Honda customers in the Southern African region. Honda’s entry into these markets will ensure that sales and service levels meet the high standards Honda has become renowned for globally.

“We are honoured and delighted in the confidence expressed by our parent company, Honda Motor Japan, in our SA-based Honda operation,” says Yoshiaki Nakamura, managing director of Honda Motor Southern Africa.

“These are both exciting and challenging times for our brand, and being able to include the SADC states in our field of operations opens new opportunities for Honda, and for the brand as a whole.”

Nakamura points out that Honda’s product line-up continues to expand, with the CR-Z, Insight and Ballade among the more recent additions to its passenger car family, while both the Jazz and the Accord have recently undergone significant improvements.

“Today, Honda is a leading force in hybrid vehicle technology, with no less than three vehicles equipped with Honda’s unique IMA hybrid drivetrain on offer to local buyers. Our commitment to environmentally responsible technology extends across our entire product range.

“We are looking forward to extending our operations into the SADC markets, and to deliver the same levels of excellence as our SA customer base has already become accustomed to,” Nakamura concluded.

STORY BY HONDA