Honda today opens a training centre for its dealership staff in Colnbrook, near Heathrow.

Part of the Honda Institute, the name given to the company's people development programme, the centre will provide business and technical training on cars, power equipment and motorcycles.

The centre forms part of a strategy to bring each of Honda's selling divisions closure together, which has provided the inspiration to new brand centres which will be opened throughout the UK, starting in Chiswick, west London in the autumn. The aim is to promote cross brand retailing and increase dealers' profit opportunities.

Facilities at Colnbrook include 10 training rooms, workshop space for 20 cars, full range of Honda motorcycles and power tools.

Pauline Wiseman, head of the Honda Institute, said: “This outstanding new facility and our dedicated team of staff are living proof that at Honda, people really are recognised as the key to success.”

The institute was previously at Honda's former head offices in Chiswick.

Honda has 880 dealers, including 200 car dealers, 230 motorcycle dealers and 450 power equipment dealers.