Dilawri acquires BC Honda dealership
The Dilawri Group of Companies is continuing its push into the B.C. market with its latest acquisition of Vancouver Honda.
The recent takeover makes the Dilawri Group the largest independent Honda retailer in Canada, now with a total of six Honda dealerships across Canada.
Vancouver Honda is one of five new car dealerships the company is adding to its expanding group this year, with plans to open more by 2014.
“We see this as an exciting opportunity to extend the successful partnership the Dilawri Group already has with Honda Canada nationally,” said Christian Dubois, regional operations manager at Dilawri.
“Our goal is to take Vancouver Honda to the next level while increasing our market share by representing one of the world’s largest automotive brands.”
The 50,000 square foot, three story sales and service centre will undergo minor renovations to improve efficiencies and make room for more new and pre-owned inventory.
Over the next few months, the company will launch an aggressive marketing campaign to re-launch the dealership as the new Vancouver Honda through both traditional and online advertising.
Vancouver Honda first opened in 1985 and was acquired by Marine Drive Imports in 1988. The company remained the owner and operator for over 25 years.
Currently, the dealership employs approximately 40 sales and service managers and staff, including Jeff Corrigan, general manager (formerly of Acura of Langley); Basil Wong, pre-owned sales manager; Allan Lal, parts manager and Craig Propp, service manager.
The Dilawri Group of Companies is Canada's largest automotive group, comprising of 42 dealerships across the country concentrated in Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.
In B.C., Dilawri owns Porsche Centre Vancouver, Burrard Acura, Acura of Langley, Docksteader Subaru, Volvo of Vancouver, Vancouver Honda and Vancouver's premier luxury car delaership, MCL Motor Cars, an exclusive dealer for Bentley and Aston Martin, in addition to Jaguar and Land Rover.
Over the next year, the company said it would expand its dealership family to include Mercedes-Benz Langley, Audi Downtown Vancouver and new facilities for Burrard Acura, Acura of Langley and Porsche Centre Vancouver.
