Honda UK held its annual dealer conference just before Christmas, and took the opportunity to present a slew of awards to high-achieving and long-serving retailers across its network. Plus there were also some special awards, including one for a UK tech who took part in the firm’s Global Motorcycle Technician Contest in Japan.
Three dealers collected 45-year long service awards: Grafton Motorcycles, Colwyn Bay Motorcycles and Firstline Motorcycles, all joining Honda back in 1978. There were also three 20-year awards, two 15-year and four tenth-anniversary celebrations, with Honda UK’s head of motorcycles, Neil Fletcher, handing over the gongs.
Craig Honda’s Josh Webster was given a Special Award for taking part in the Global Technician Contest in JapanFletcher was joined by a very special guest for the awards – no less than Helen Sharman, the first British astronaut. Ms Sharman congratulated specialist dealer of the year winners, including GT Motorcycles (accessories), North West Honda (Datatool dealer of the year), Doble Honda (supersport), and Miles Kingport (financial services and overall dealer of the year).
Fletcher and Sharman also gave a special recognition award to Josh Webster of Craigs Honda, who took part in the Japanese firm’s Global Motorcycle Technician Contest in Tokyo in October 2023. Webster had to answer 50 questions in a paper-based test before performing a series of five timed off-bike practical tests, a 60-minute diagnostic and a 30-minute repair task. All the tests took place on a Super Cub 110 commuter and a CB650R, and there were just 23 finalists from all around the world. Webster, who’s been a Honda tech for seven years, was up against long-serving Honda expert technicians from countries including Germany, Japan, Taiwan, Brazil and the Netherlands.
Last year was the first time for the competition, which will now take place every four years. Honda UK is to set up a national contest, with the finalist going to Europe for a continent-wide contest, and then Japan will host the global finals.
All the winners
- Celebrating 45 Years with Honda
Grafton Motorcycles, Colwyn Bay Motorcycles, Firstline Motorcycles Ltd - Celebrating 20 Years with Honda
Lloyd Motors, North Harbour Motorcycles, Belle Vue Motors - Celebrating 15 Years with Honda
Isle of Man Honda, GT Motorcycles - Celebrating 10 Years with Honda
Wheels Honda, Craigs Honda, Blade Motorcycles Swindon, Maidstone Honda - Datatool Dealer of the Year
North West Honda - Accessories Dealer of the Year
GT Motorcycles - New Rider Dealer of the Year
Honda of Bournemouth - Aftersales Dealer of the Year
HCSI Wheels Honda - Sales Dealer of the Year
HCSI Miles Kingsport - SuperSport Retail Dealer of the Year
Doble Honda - Honda Financial Services K2K Award
Miles Kingsport - Special Recognition Award
Josh Webster – Craigs Honda - Dealer of the Year
Miles Kingsport