Meet Dene Lambkin Honda
“Honda is a motor company. Yes, they make motors for cars, but they also make motors for lawn mowers, generators, motorcycles, boats…they are really focused on the powertrain. They strive to make motors that last forever, and that’s what makes their cars the best,” says Dene Lambkin, owner of Dene Lambkin Honda, 207 N. 36th Street, who notes that one of his tri-state-area clients has a 1997 Honda Accord with more than 400,000 miles.
Dene Lambkin Honda is just one of the several companies under the Quincy Motors, Inc., umbrella, purchased by Lambkin in 1993. Dene Lambkin Hyundai, Dene Lambkin Hertz rental cars and Honda Certified Pre-owned Cars franchises are all located in the Lambkin complex.
“Our customers really don’t know that we have separate businesses here,” says Lambkin. “No one ever takes a ‘that’s-not-my-job’ attitude. We have two rooftops, but one team, and our 45 full-time employees can help their clients with whatever kind of vehicle or service they need.”
Normally, there are 300-350 cars in inventory at any given time. Honda and Hyundai’s core products, the Accord, Sonata, Civic, Elantra, CVR and Santa Fe, are all capable of being Lambkin’s best sellers in any given month.
“We’re very concerned with what happens after the sale, too” says Lambkin, whose dealership has won six President’s Award from Honda recognizing excellence in new and used cars, parts, service and financing. “We’ve expanded our client base to outlying areas so much that we are trying to decide how to offer an express service department seven days a week. (Current hours are Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays.)
“I want our customers to be totally satisfied with their cars and our service,” he continues. “They can call me at home and my staff knows to get me, personally, if a customer is unhappy.”
That service is particularly important for Lambkin’s business clients.
“Having a vehicle down is lost productivity. We recognize that and work very hard to get our business clients into the service schedule quickly,” he states. “Our vehicles last a long time, are fuel efficient and their high resale value creates leasing as an option for many companies. That, of course, helps those companies with cash flow issues and does not tie up capital.”
When Lambkin purchased the dealership in 1993, Honda suggested that he put his name on the company. They believed the name of an owner who is active in the community would also build credibility for the dealership. Lambkin has proven that philosophy to be true.
“My favorite community activities relate to kids,” he says, noting sponsorships of area high schools and colleges, the arts and Bridge the Gap to Health among many, many others. “When my wife and I moved here, we thought that we would stay two years and then move on. That was 20 years ago. Life doesn’t get any better than this.”
When you need a new vehicle, visit Dene Lambkin Honda; showroom hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. You may also view vehicles online at www.denelambkinhonda.com.
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