Michael Cho, president and chief executive officer of the new Acura dealership at 11550 S. Virginia St., had waited for last Tuesday's grand opening for more than two years.
Cho, a general manager in the Portland area who has been with Acura since Honda launched its luxury brand in 1986, was awarded the franchise in 2006. He says despite the economic downturn, demand for the Acura brand is expected to be strong.
"Obviously market conditions are a little lower, but is there really a right time to open a dealership?" he asks. "If we do what we know well, which is taking care of customers, maybe we will not be as busy as we could be, but I feel positive about this market; we will do well.
"Acura was studying this market for many years," Cho adds. "In late '05 they decided they wanted to open a dealership in this market because Acura has never been represented here. It is very fluid market that will match with the Acura product very well."
During construction, Cho toured the country looking at new high-end dealerships, and as a result he made several changes to his facility in mid-stream. Dennis Banks Construction Co. was the general contractor for the $9 million project.
"I had to tweak and change in the middle of construction because I do want to build a most beautiful, most functioning and most friendly dealership for our customers," he says.
Initial inventory stands at about 250 cars, though the dealership can stock more than 500.
"Depending on how the market dictates, I will adjust from there," Cho says. "This market is just right for not only the current products but future products."
The dealership expects to employ 50, including a sales team of 11 and a maintenance staff of eight. Finding personnel has not been a problem, he says.
"When people look at this facility they all want to come work here," he says.
Cho chose the South Virginia Street site because of its propensity toward new luxury car dealerships, and because the area was one of the few available places he could purchase a five-acre lot.
