For well over 30 years, the Vatland family has been serving Vero Beach and all of Indian River County. It started with Mr. Olaf V. Vatland and Vatland Oldsmobile in 1970. At that time it was located at the corner of US 1 and 20th Street right here in Vero Beach. After the passing of Mr. Olaf Vatland in 1974, his son Robert J. Vatland, took over the dealership and became the youngest Oldsmobile Dealer in the United States.
Under the leadership of Robert Vatland, the dealership saw continued success; And in 1976 Vatland Oldsmobile went through a major change: Vatland Oldsmobile took on the additions of Pontiac and GMC. Vatland Oldsmobile grew to become, Vatland Olds-Pontiac-GMC, Inc. With those additions, Vatland Olds-Pontiac-GMC became the largest dealership in Vero Beach and serving all of Indian River County.
In the early 1990’s, Vatland grew again with the addition of Honda to the lineup. Honda was positioned on the north side of the 1110 US Hwy 1 property and the body shop moved to accommodate the service department. In 1993 the first Honda rolled off the trucks to the front line. Vatland Honda was born.
Thru all the 1990’s Vatland was the largest dealer in the Treasure Coast with 4 franchises in 1 single lot location, Joint service Department and Staff to help all the customers.
In 2002, General Motors announced that the Oldsmobile line would be discontinued. Vatland Continued to Sell and Service Oldsmobile’s until fall of 2003.
With the Brand that started it all for Vatland now gone, it was time to rethink and refocus on how to continue to grow our business and service all the faithful customers we had serviced over the past 28 years.
In spring of 2004 we started looking for property to move the Honda location to so that we could offer larger inventories and better service. In fall of 2005, we found a construction warehouse called Scotty’s. Scotty’s was still under contract but going out of business. We acquired the property and closed Scotty’s in winter of 2005.
Vatland Pontiac GMC would take over the existing Honda facility and create a Pre Owned Superstore. Honda Service became our quick lube department and Vatland grew again to accommodate more and more customers.
With a Great location secured for the growth of Honda, we were eager to get started. Accountants, architects, builders, designers all got together and created a plan to renovate the dilapidated warehouse into a first class Automotive facility.
(Old Scotty's)
Construction began in March of 2006, with a deadline of December 2006. Things had to move fast and accurate to make a deadline on a renovation of 65,000 feet of display space, parts warehouse, accounting offices and service facilities.
(Showroom before renovation)
Construction was completed in January of 2007, and our soft grand opening with new and existing staff opened the doors on January 26th 2007.
(Renovated exterior)
Vatland Honda new location is 700 US Hwy 1 Vero Beach, Florida. Grand Opening in March 2007. Our facility now houses a 15 car showroom, a 22 bay service department, with 9000 square feet of parts and over 100,000 different parts, with a overall size of 65,000 square feet of Honda Display and Merchandise!
(Renovated showroom)
(Service department)
(Lounge area)
(Parts department)
In 2008, General Motors was experiencing some troubles and wanted to consolidate its franchises. Vatland Pontiac GMC was sold to the local Buick dealer in Vero Beach
Also in 2008, Vatland Honda acquired the Honda Power Equipment franchise. Honda Power Equipment is run out of our Service and parts departments. We offer the full line of southern Power Equipment. Generators up to 10,000 watts, Lawnmowers, Water Pumps, Tillers, and Trimmers ie weed eaters. We service all Honda Powered Equipment and Engines.
In 2009 Vatland grew again with the acquisition of Honda Engines. We offer small engines for repair and replacement for any Honda powered machines.
In 2012 Vatland grew again with the acquisition of Honda Marine. This division is new to us and we are still learning a lot about marine and how to service our customer and their demands. Marine will allow us to partner with a local boat manufacture Skull Island Skiff as the engine provider and offer direct financing for boat, motor and trailer packages. Vatland Honda Can Sell, Service, warranty any Honda Marine engine.
As the future progress, Vatland Honda is here to stay and looking to expand more and offer our customer exceptional service before, during and after the sale of any product purchased thru us.
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