Honda Financial Services know that everyone’s finance needs are different, that’s why their finance and lease products are designed around the customer. Whether it’s private buyers, company owners, or those managing a fleet of cars, their team of ambassadors take time to understand their client’s specific needs, and, with the transparency of only dealing with Honda (no third-party inclusion), their wide range of lease and finance options can be tailored to suit within minutes not days.
Carl Kenworthy, Honda Financial Services Team Leader explains more about Honda Lease. “The first thing is that it’s in-house. If we take for example our Newmarket store here, we have 11 ambassadors that can very quickly identify with our customer, their operating lease needs (the term, the kilometres, the model etc), and through our integrated system, can produce a quote in a matter of minutes.”
He says, there’s no third parties, it’s all internal, adding, “If our customer wishes to proceed, our support/head office is on site, so everything is easily accessible, and we can give them approval very quickly.”
Antonio Navia, Honda Newmarket’s General Manager, agrees and says “It’s Honda as a brand that is doing the lease, so that means all of the benefits too. Everything that’s related to residual value at the end, the price promise, the rates, everything is transferred on to the customer.”
Antonio says that ‘in a good way’, Honda manages the whole process from beginning to end.
“We know that we are able to offer a very competitive price with all the benefits of the maintained or non-maintained options, so we can focus on what our customer needs, that’s companies or individuals.”
This one-brand, one-ambassador approach means that Honda are able to make decisions on the spot and help customers on their leasing journey, building in the benefits of what’s best for them. They even have the ability to ‘customise’ where necessary, the mileage, the terms, with either full ‘peace of mind’ maintenance that includes everything, unlimited tyres (fair wear and tear), batteries, or if you’re really concerned about use or pricing, then there are lease-only options.
Antonio is also keen to point out that this one-stop shop approach is a Honda philosophy across the brand’s 32 NZ touch points.
He says, “the price promise means one set price and no discounting across the country, and here, as Honda New Zealand is both the distributor and the retailer, when customers talk to us, they are talking to Honda NZ, which is [in turn] owned by Honda Motor Company, so it is a direct line - I think it’s really unique.”
What’s more, Honda NZ runs a shared customer software platform which ensures transparency, plus, the main bulk of Honda vehicles are held in their central distribution centre in Nelson, and are sent out from there, meaning that companies with national coverage can receive their vehicles in a timely manner too.
Antonio says, “Over and above the contract details we provide a 5 percent over km waver, but unique to us, we also include a km rebate too. So if the client is 5 percent or greater under their km allowance threshold, then we give a rebate back. It shows respect for the individual.”
Carl agrees. “In terms of the underachieved kilometres, it just feels like it’s the right thing to do. Because if someone’s taken out a three year, 60,000km lease and they’ve travelled 40,000km instead, the vehicle is going to be worth more money when we come to sell it. So it just feels right to rebate.”
In their list of solutions, Honda also provides a consecutive lease option which is a year-by-year contract.
Carl says that with this option, if the customer goes through year one, in month 13, if they return the vehicle to Honda, there is no break cost (as long as I’ve made the 12 monthly payments for the first year). So that gives customers extra flexibility.
Antonio says that this is ideal for companies that depend on allocation of contracts, such as charities or sports associations, ‘it’s comforting for them to know that they can return it after a year should they need to’.
He adds, “And there is also the possibility of rolling over into a new/different car within the contract term. Because of the price promise formula, after a certain period of time we are often able to call a customer and get them into a new car with no break fees. Keep that new car smell for longer.”
Carl concurs, “Sometimes people’s needs change too, and they may want to move from a CR-V to a Jazz or vice versa.”
Antonio believes that everything they do is based on customer relationships and says that many stay with them for a long, long time. He likens their service to hotel hospitality.
“It’s all about the experience. Having a concierge that handles your needs and you get to take away a great experience. The trick for us is that we discuss customer pain points and solve them. So, if you’re thinking about leasing or considering a fleet, then we at Honda Newmarket need to be on the shopping list.”
