Robert Thorp

TWO prominent Melbourne Honda dealers, Astoria Honda and Brighton Honda, have merged operations that will see new and used car sales move from Astoria’s East Bentleigh showroom in Melbourne’s east to nearby Brighton Honda.

The business on Nepean Highway has been renamed Astoria Honda Brighton and retains ownership by Mark Avis and Ron Klein. The change reduces Honda’s dealer network by one to 106 stores.

The long-standing Astoria Honda new and used-car dealership operated for years on a small land footprint, with service operations run from a separate facility on North Road.

Under the new arrangement, the existing Astoria service, parts and body-repair businesses at 961 North Road in Bentleigh East will continue as a satellite operation from the main dealership in Brighton.

Honda Australia’s dealer business general manager Robert Thorp said the merging of the dealerships would improve customer service.

He said it would not change the sales projections for Honda in Australia .

“We see this as being an advantage for Honda customers,” Mr Thorp said.

“We now have a consolidated and focused car sales team that is equipped to deliver a premium experience at the new Astoria Honda Brighton while maintaining customer convenience with servicing available still in two locations.”

Astoria Honda Brighton CEO Mark Avis said the move to “transform our dealership would deliver the best sales and ownership experience for our customers.”

The dealership has undergone renovations that provide a larger showroom and additional customer comfort with a lounge area, free Wi-Fi and expanded customer car parking.

By Neil Dowling