Bannister Honda in Vernon has been named BC Honda Dealer of the Year. (Submitted photo/Banister Honda)

By Pete McIntyre

Based on customer reviews

Vernon business named B.C. dealer of the year

Mar 9, 2023 | 11:00 AM

Pat Loehndorf has a simple way to sum up Bannister Honda’s business philosophy.

The general manager and partner describes it as a respectful, honest business that cares about their customers.

And the customers seem to agree, based on the growing number of awards the Vernon dealership on Highway 97 has received.

Bannister Honda was recently named the British Columbia Honda Dealer of the Year in addition to winning the Consumer Satisfaction Award for the eighth straight year.

It’s the sixth time the business has received the B.C award, in addition to 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020.

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Bannister Honda was named the Canadian Honda Dealer of the Year in 2017.

The Dealer of the Year Award program recognizes a select number of car dealerships throughout the United States and Canada for outstanding customer satisfaction as expressed through customers’ online reviews posted on Dealer Rater.

To be considered for the honour, a dealership must have a minimum of 25 reviews on Dealer Rater for the calendar year; an average minimum star rating of 4.0 on Dealer Rater, with 5.0 as the highest possible rating; and at least one review on Dealer Rater per quarter during the calendar year.

Loehndorf, who has been in the automative industry since 1981, said the award means a lot to him, and the team, at Bannister Honda.

“In today’s competitive market, customer satisfaction means more today than it ever has. The customer has many options of where to purchase their next new or preowned vehicle, and to be able to read reviews of customers (like them) have experienced, is invaluable,” Loehndorf told Vernon Matters.

The Consumer Satisfaction Awards are intended to complement the Dealer of the Year Award and recipients must meet the same requirements as the Dealer of the Year program.

Bannister Honda in Vernon (submitted photo)

Loehndorf said his team takes customer satisfaction very seriously.

“That is why we are so proud to be the only dealer (in the Okanagan) of any make to receive this award eight years in a row. We truly believe that you treat people as you would like to be treated when purchasing any of our products, or services.”

Loehndorf says despite the accolades and positive reviews, he knows they are not perfect.

“However, using the Dealer Rater program allows us to try and correct an experience, or at the least, learn from the feedback and improve our customer satisfaction.”

Loehndorf says they believe in transparency and hearing from their valued customers about their experiences.

“It has differentiated us from the competition, and this was the plan from the beginning. A respectful, honest business that cares about their customers,” he stated.

The general manager and partner is looking forward to the coming year.

“We are finally receiving a good supply of new product and are looking forward to filling our lot with amazing new Hondas for purchase,” Loehndorf said.