Dennis Motors has a long history on PEI. It began in 1947, when Erwin and Olive Dennis opened the business as an automotive repair and parts store. Run as a family business from then until today, it has undergone many changes over the years. In the mid-1980s, Dennis Motors began its longstanding relationship with Yamaha by adding outboard motors to the business. Over the years the Yamaha line expanded to include ATVs, motorcycles, dirt bikes and watercraft, and Dennis Motors was there for the very successful ride.
For snowmobile enthusiasts on PEI, 1992 was a very important year. Dennis Motors took on the Yamaha snowmobile line and has been very successful with this part of the business ever since. Their first snowmobiles were sold to the Desroche family of western PEI, who bought three Exciter 370s, and that was the start of a very exciting 33 years in the snowmobile business.
Dennis Motors’ support for the snowmobile industry on PEI goes back decades. From a PEISA standpoint, they have always been a huge supporter of every project we have been involved in, from being a major sponsor of our paper maps each time one was published to outstanding participation in the snowmobile shows we used to hold every year. Their unwavering support for the KASA, Springside and Eastern Grooming Committee annual dinner snowmobile draws is second to none. They have always been big supporters of local snowmobile races, local snowmobile clubhouse fundraisers, and PEISA’s annual Go Snowmobiling Rides.
Over the years Dennis Motors has reached the pinnacle of Yamaha dealerships. They have consistently remained an Elite Dealer in the Yamaha 360 Program, which is not an easy feat to accomplish year after year. As the Yamaha manufacturer’s representative for many years, Pat Hicks has seen first-hand the quality of service Dennis Motors provides its customers. Pat says the many awards Dennis Motors has received over the years all come from a team effort, something that happens every day without a second thought because it comes naturally to this business. Pat also noted that a one-time President of Yamaha Snowmobiles for North America complimented Dennis Motors on its ability to maintain market share above anyone else in North America. Considering the size of their sales area, their track record for Yamaha snowmobile sales is second to none.
As one of the family owners put it, “Being a snowmobile dealership is not for the faint of heart. It is a long roller coaster ride with highs and lows, and we have seen them all over the years.”
In closing, I hope the PEISA will welcome this outstanding snowmobile business into the PEISA Hall of Fame and give them the recognition they so richly deserve. Thank you.
