Honda dealers make record profits

The manufacturer claims that the average dealer made around £55,000 more than in the previous year. The Honda dealer network achieved an average 1.3 per cent return for 2006 compared to an industry average return of 0.8 per cent.

Honda claimed that three-quarters of its dealers reported profit increases, which followed 17 consecutive months of year-on-year trading growth.

Strong sales of the new Civic contributed to improved profitability as volumes for the five-door version reached 35,000, which was ahead of the carmaker's expectations. “This is a superb result and testament to the hard work put in by the dealers,” said Philip Crossman, head of network development for Honda UK. “To help sustain this growth, we've doubled our business management to help support future network investment needs.” Honda's model line up will be supplemented this year by two versions of a three-door Civic and the manufacturer has also promised an increased supply of the hybrid version of the saloon.