Mark and Karen’s father Bill was always sure of the Honda brand, not only racing on Honda works bikes, Bill was also introduced to Mr Kawashima, the Honda team boss who subsequently went on to become Honda President; who offered Bill the full UK consession in 1961.  Business was booming for the family at the time but having to guarantee 5000 sales per annum and still racing full time they couldn’t commit to such a total, so in 1962 Honda UK was formed and at the 1962 Earles Court show sold 26,000 bikes!  Bill was kicking himself but went on selling Honda at a great pace opening Honda shops in Liverpool, Warrington, Winsford, Rhyl and Bangor, with a Honda car garage at Two Mills on the Wirral.

The family have branched out over the years importing the first Kawasaki machines into the UK in 1968 (Kawasaki went on in the 80's to form Kawasaki UK). The families aim was for them to be a multi-franchise dealer offering customers maximum choice on and off road where possible.  Clothing and accessories also became a huge part of the business and now Bill Smith Motors is not only the best in the Northwest, but is certainly one of the leading independent multi-franchise dealerships in the UK.

But, Honda is still where the family’s history lies, not only in business but in racing too and Mark and Karen have always been keen to go back into a business that specialises in Honda.  So when Honda approached them back in 2009, the brother and sister team were very keen to open a new solus franchise and reinvest their families roots in Honda.  So Smiths Honda was born and the showroom pays tribute to their Honda past with a special Smiths Honda history wall – not many Honda showrooms can do that these days!  The economic climate has been tough but Mark Smith is confident that opening a new business like this in such hard times is worth the risk; Mark comments, “the Honda brand is the fourth biggest in the world.  I feel that we do the job right in our Chester showroom, we constantly get praised in the trade for how we run our business with integrity and passion; were not here for a fast buck, and I don't think any business in this trade can survive that way, there's too much at stake with high performance vehicles, we believe in excellent customer service from motorbike and clothing sales to servicing and honest products.  We were honoured that Honda approached us as their chosen dealer to take forward the brand in the area and were sure that pays credit to our commitment to customer service and longstanding history".

But, Honda is still where the family’s history lies, not only in business but in racing too and Mark and Karen have always been keen to go back into a business that specialises in Honda.  So when Honda approached them back in 2009, the brother and sister team were very keen to open a new solus franchise and reinvest their families roots in Honda.  So Smiths Honda was born and the showroom pays tribute to their Honda past with a special Smiths Honda history wall – not many Honda showrooms can do that these days!  The economic climate has been tough but Mark Smith is confident that opening a new business like this in such hard times is worth the risk; Mark comments, “the Honda brand is the fourth biggest in the world.  I feel that we do the job right in our Chester showroom, we constantly get praised in the trade for how we run our business with integrity and passion; were not here for a fast buck, and I don't think any business in this trade can survive that way, there's too much at stake with high performance vehicles, we believe in excellent customer service from motorbike and clothing sales to servicing and honest products.  We were honoured that Honda approached us as their chosen dealer to take forward the brand in the area and were sure that pays credit to our commitment to customer service and longstanding history".