OpenRoad Audi - OpenRoad Driver

In the past couple of years, Hyundai’smodel range has been revampedfrom top to bottom, and it is now fullof desirable vehicles with the latesttechnology.This, of course, did not escape theattention of OpenRoad Auto Group. Whena Hyundai franchise became available twoyears ago, along with a sales-and-servicefacility on No. 3 Road in Richmond, it wasquickly acquired.The dealership had been located onthat street for some time, but the placeto be for auto dealers in Richmond is theRichmond Auto Mall. An existing buildingbecame available there earlier this year.Again, OpenRoad moved quickly and theresult is the recent opening of OpenRoadHyundai. This much larger and moremodern facility provides customers withthe latest in amenities. “We were doingokay in that original facility, but as soonas we moved to the Auto Mall, our salesvolume doubled,” says Rob Steele, GroupVice President for OpenRoad. “In August,we were the Number One volume dealershipin British Columbia. We have broughtthe quality experience up to OpenRoadstandards in this new facility, and it shows.”Steele took us on a tour of the newHyundai store, and he was excited aboutits potential. “We see Hyundai as afranchise of the future, with the growthpotential here being very dramatic over thenext few years. We researched the Hyundaiorganization, and believe that their quality,their pricing and the way they stand behindtheir products are very good. We thinkthere is a wonderful future for Hyundai.”Prior to acquiring the franchise,OpenRoad did its research and comparedwhat they found with the knowledgegleaned from selling the other topbrands in its portfolio. “We have beento Hyundai’s manufacturing plant inMontgomery, Alabama,” Steele continues,“and as an indication of its quality standards,we were just amazed by the levelof robotics used to make vehicles there.That plant makes 300,000 vehicles a yearwith half as many employees as anotherlarge auto plant nearby which makesthe same number. That speaks to thetechnology and precision used in buildingthese vehicles, which allows Hyundai tooffer warranties longer than most othercompanies.”In our tour of the Hyundai facility, wehad the chance to chat with severalemployees, and Lei White, Service Advisor,puts the success of the new store in context.“A lot of people in Richmond didn’tknow about Hyundai until we moved intothe Auto Mall, so it’s been great. Manypeople check out the other dealers in themall, and then come and buy a car here.”The last word goes to Rob Steele. “Sonow we have a new, state-of-the-artHyundai dealership, with lots of capacityin the eight-bay service department, a fullparts department, and all the amenitiesthat customers have come to expect inan OpenRoad dealership. We have veryhigh standards in those respects, and thisHyundai store meets or exceeds them all.”So, if you are shopping for a new vehicle,Hyundai should be on your list, andOpenRoad Hyundai at 5571 ParkwoodWay, at the northern end of the RichmondAuto Mall, is open and ready to show youthe full range of award-winning Hyundaiproducts.OpenRoad driver |43