Top U.S. Suzuki dealership puts on fresh, friendly face
Company executives visit local seller to try out new concept
Thursday, September 29, 2005
The nation's top Suzuki dealer celebrated completion of a new design Wednesday afternoon, one it expects will attract even more potential customers.
Suzuki of Huntsville dedicated its "Suzuki Square" design at the Driving 2000 dealership on University Drive. It is among the first of about 100 Suzuki dealerships nationwide to complete the design.
Through last week, Suzuki of Huntsville led U.S. Suzuki dealerships in sales with a total of 1,508 new vehicles sold this year. That put it about 450 ahead of the second place dealer.
Gary Linam, president of Suzuki of Huntsville, expects the new design to add to the dealership's success.
"It's a new shopper-friendly concept in dealership design that attempts to take the pressure out of shopping for and buying a new car," Linam said. "The open-air marketplace has bolder colors, a less cluttered showroom and an eye-catching atmosphere where people can shop in a relaxed way."
Yoichi Shimoda, general manager of Suzuki Motor Corp.'s North and Latin America automobile marketing department from Japan, and Koichi Suzuki, president of automotive operations for American Suzuki Corp., were in Huntsville to help dedicate the new dealership design.
Suzuki said he's impressed with the automaker's top-ranked dealership.
"I can tell that it's important for the dealership that their customers are satisfied," Suzuki said. "You can tell that Gary treats his customers very well. Suzuki is still a young brand in America. We show our youth with this new face of the dealership."
Suzuki of Huntsville ranked third in U.S. Suzuki sales in 2004 with a total of 1,036 new vehicles sold. In March, the dealership sold 241 new Suzuki vehicles, surpassing the previous sales record of 200 set by Diel Suzuki in York, Penn.
"We have a customer-centered buying process where we price cars, not customers," Linam said. "We offer one low price on every vehicle every day with no hidden fees and we don't negotiate."
Linam said the dealership has been successful with "the combination of the product we offer and the people we employ. Employee satisfaction is No. 1 for me because that makes everything else happen."
Suzuki said that higher gas prices have also attracted more customers to the automaker's fuel-efficient vehicles. "Our Forenza is in short supply because of the demand for smaller cars," he said. "People are thinking about gas prices. More people are buying fuel-efficient vehicles. Our sales are increasing."
He said gas will continue to be a factor for consumers as they shop for vehicles. "I think gas will come down, but I don't think we'll see it under $2 again."
Suzuki said that the automaker hopes to have a hybrid car for sale in the U.S. by 2010. It offers one now in Japan.
© 2005 The Huntsville Times
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