The new Hyundai store will employ about 20 to 25 people initially, but that’s expected to grow to about 50 in time, said Christian Hahn, general manager of Joseph Airport. The company expects to sell 1,000 new vehicles and 700 used vehicles a year, said Hahn, who emphasized that the new dealership will have a separate management team.
The addition of the dealership strengthens the row of dealers on the south side of National Road, lending it a “destination-type” feel for those in the market for a car or truck, Hahn said.
“People will buy,” he said. “They come to this area to buy.”
Construction on a new dealership is notable these days. According to Detroit-based auto industry consultant Urban Science, there are some 4,000 fewer U.S. dealerships than there were just six years ago, with slightly more than 17,600 stores nationally.
Still, there are signs of life. Joe Morgan Honda opened in Monroe in November, with John Voss as a partner. Hahn describes himself as “bullish on 2011.”
“We expect the industry to increase from here,” he said.
A ceremonial groundbreaking has been “postponed indefinitely” in favor of a bigger celebration, Hahn said. He expects the walls to go up on the new dealership building May 15. The new store will have 11 service bays, four wash bays, an eight-vehicle showroom, 260 parking spaces for inventory and customers, all on three acres. Hahn said he expects the store to be open for business in autumn 2011.
Joseph Auto Group has 18 auto stores, 17 in Ohio and one in Northern Kentucky. Hahn said Joseph Airport Toyota has been the No. 1 Toyota dealer by volume in the Dayton area for seven years.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2390 or tgnau@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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