Ban Hoe Seng - From Commodities To Motorcycles.

Ban Hoe Seng employee Yeoh Oon Kok astride a British made Velocette motorcycle.

Ban Hoe Seng, the name synonymous with Honda automobiles had its beginnings dealing in commodities like rice, rubber and tin.

Founded in 1910 by Chew Boon Juan its first shop in Ipoh was located at Market Street. In 1916 the premises was shifted to a three storey building at 62 and 64 Belfield Street, and was made its headquarters.

In the 1930’s Boon Juan’s second son, Chew Choon Siew came back from Hong Kong to run Ban Hoe Seng. Born in 1905, Choon Siew was in his 30’s at the time. 

All trading was halted at the onset of the Second World War from 1941. After the war Ban Hoe Seng first started dealing in a whole new product, European Motorcycles.

The company was made up of two of Boon Juan’s sons, Chew Choon Siew as Chairman and Chew Choon Kok the Managing Director.

Another relative Yeoh Oon Kok a grandson of Boon Juan was its foreman who later became Sales Manager.

The first motorcycle franchise it secured was Francis-Barnett in 1946 followed by several other popular European brands like Lambretta and Velocette.

In 1958 Ban Hoe Seng landed its first main dealership with Honda motorcycles through Boon Siew Honda.

In 1958 Ban Hoe Seng introduced Honda motorcycles.

It became a dealership that would last a long time with Boon Siew and later with Honda Malaysia.

JAG