An overview of the automotive dealerships in Guam and Saipan and what each has in store for 2017
Atkins Kroll Guam Inc.
Atkins Kroll (Saipan) Inc.
Year founded: 1914
Graham
President: Desmond J. Graham
Locations:
- South Marine Corps Drive in Tamuning, Guam
- Chalan Monsignor Guerrero in Oleai, Saipan
Number of employees: Guam – 270; Saipan – 57
Distributor of: Toyota, Lexus, Chevrolet
Top-selling vehicle in 2016: Toyota Tacoma
What can Guam customers look forward to from your manufacturers in 2017?
We will set off with our “Go” promotion [for Toyota] in January that will have some outstanding offers across the range to whet customers’ appetites. In February, we will have Corolla’s 50th birthday party and launch a limited edition model to celebrate. May will see the launch of a brand-new crossover SUV — the CHR. It’s incredibly stylish and I think it will be a hit. Later in the year, a brand-new Camry is on its way also.
Lexus will have many model refreshes this year but nothing brand new. AK, however, is going to expand our Lexus facilities and plans to relocate our Lexus Club Service center to a new facility with a new boutique and café for [Lexus customers’] exclusive use. We are also about to launch a 24-hour recovery service as part of our Lexus Club upgrade.
April will see a new Chevrolet Equinox SUV. It’s a really great-looking car, and it’s certain to be popular on Guam. We will also see a range of limited edition Silverado trucks that look wild.
What can customers look forward to from your dealership in 2017?
As a consequence of our Lexus upgrade, we will be relocating our corporate office and creating more space for our showroom and service center upgrades also. We have just launched an over 60s discount program and some very special “Service 4 Life” offers on our smaller sedans. We will be investing in our accident repair facilities including the latest aluminum repair technology. I’m certain that our customers will love these new facilities.
What have been the biggest positive and negative factors affecting the auto industry in Micronesia the past year?
Tax refunds are a significant stimulus to our industry, and the fact that we are not seeing them in the size of previous years is a problem. In a pay check to pay check society that we have here, they are often the only opportunity for customers to raise a deposit.
Finance and credit worthiness are considerable issues for our economy. The Guam government needs to take proactive steps and moderate the laws that inhibit [personal contract purchase] lease business. This will really support our industry.
The market has become pretty competitive over the past three years, and I guess the customer is the big winner as it keeps us all very competitive.
Cars Plus
Crisostomo
Year founded: 1999
President: Joseph M. Crisostomo
Location: 647 Route 8 in Maite, Guam
Number of employees: 85
Distributor of: Hyundai, Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, Fiat
Top-selling vehicle in 2016: Hyundai Tucson
What can Guam customers look forward to from your manufacturers in 2017?
Our manufacturers continue to raise the bar when it comes to safety and availability of standard features. Hyundai released several 2017 completely redesigned models of our Elantra, Sonata and Tucson. In addition, Genesis will be its very own flagship luxury brand, releasing premium sedans under the Genesis badge instead of Hyundai. In addition, Hyundai will be introducing a brand-new subcompact SUV later in the year.
We can also expect stronger production from our popular Jeep line with the opening of two new factories in the United States.
What can customers look forward to from your dealership in 2017?
Cars Plus is opening its Pacific Pre-Owned Auto Center in Tamuning, between BankPacific and Tick Tock. We’ll be able to increase our pre-owned inventory as well as sell from a very busy, convenient location on Marine Corps Drive.
We will continue to focus on our customer experience and brand loyalty every single day. We have the right team in place with great brands.
What have been the biggest positive and negative factors affecting the auto industry in Micronesia the past year?
A strong factor for Guam is our growing economy and positive economic outlook over the next several years. With tourism hitting record numbers, which contributes to stable employment for a huge industry, to construction activity in both private and public sectors, there’s a sense of movement out there. When Guam’s economy is stable or growing, this absolutely affects our industry.
The competitive environment has certainly picked up in the last couple of years with a new dealership opening as well as federal credit unions opening locations off-base. We notice greater competition coming from financial institutions, which adds to the activity in our industry.
Guam Auto Spot
Quinata
Year founded: 2008
President: Derrick Muña Quinata
Locations:
- 462 Charito Blvd. in Hagåtña
- 255 E. Marine Corp Drive in East Hagåtña
Number of employees: 160
Distributor of: Mitsubishi, Buick, GMC
Top-selling vehicle of 2016: Mitsubishi Lancer 6
What can Guam customers look forward to from your manufacturers in 2017?
The all-new GMC Canyon Denali is going to be a show-stopper this year. The GMC lineup will have additional refinements to comfort, refinement and performance that will once again highlight why GMC is truly professional grade. Buick will once again deliver the style and luxury that consumers associate with the Buick name. In 2017, the addition of the Buick Envision mid-size SUV will provide another attractive option for customers looking for both functionality and luxury in one vehicle. Mitsubishi will continue to deliver solidly built, dependable vehicles that are both stylish and affordable.
What can customers look forward to from your dealership in 2017?
An expanded service department with factory-trained and certified technicians and a new full-service Mitsubishi facility in Hagåtña.
What have been the biggest positive and negative factors affecting the auto industry in Micronesia the past year?
One of the biggest negative factors was the lack of financing options available to customers who have experienced some credit challenges in the past but who are making efforts to repair their financial position.
One of the biggest positive factors is the changing landscape of the auto industry. The way people buy cars has changed. Consumers do more research before going to a dealership, they ask more questions and options and incentives available to mainland consumers are now available through certain dealerships.
Joeten Motor Co. Inc.
Demapan
Year founded: 1978
President: Frances T. Demapan
General manager: Matthew Deets
Location: Beach Road in San Jose, Saipan
Number of employees: 55
Distributor of: Nissan, Ford, Honda, Kia
Top-selling vehicle of 2016: Kia Sportage
What can Saipan customers look forward to from your manufacturers in 2017?
Joeten Motor Co. is a multi-brand dealership that distributes Nissan, Ford, Honda and Kia automobiles. The 2017 models have already started arriving, and there are some exciting new models.
Nissan introduced the fully redesigned Nissan Armada, which is beautiful.
The Honda lineup has a variety of redesigns, but the Ridgeline pickup is an all-new model for 2017.
Ford introduced the full aluminum body F-150 in 2015, but the most exciting addition this year will be the Raptor SVT with an Ecoboost high output engine.
Kia is on the forefront of new designs, and the 2017 Kia Soul is yet another addition to an already fresh lineup.
What can customers look forward to from your dealership in 2017?
In 2016, Joeten Motors opened a full Red Cube Kia showroom and fully renovated our Nissan showroom. In 2017 we will continue to expand with the construction a new 8,000-square-foot Honda and Ford showroom. When completed, Joeten Motors will have more than 12,000 square feet of automotive showroom space. We are also going to be introducing a new Quiklane facility with four service bays with lifts and a state-of-the-art alignment machine. We will also have a new paint booth installed in our body shop to improve efficiency.
What have been the biggest positive and negative factors affecting the auto industry in Micronesia the past year?
The Saipan market has experienced steady growth for the last five years, and we expect to see the trend continue in 2017. We have seen improvements in almost all sectors of the market, but the tourist-driven businesses are seeing the biggest growth. We are also seeing more retail customers as the minimum wage has increased and the job market has continued to improve.
Nissan Motor Corp. Guam
Shelly
Year founded: March 1988 as J&G Motors Inc., which did business as Datsun Motors/Nissan Motors
President and CEO: Van R. Shelly
Location: 1012 N. Marine Corps Drive in Tamuning, Guam
Number of employees: Nissan Guam – 87; Nissan Rent-a-Car – 25
Distributor of: Nissan, Infiniti
Top-selling vehicle of 2016: Nissan Sentra
What can Guam customers look forward to from your manufacturers in 2017?
The Nissan product line is coming out with some exciting products in 2017, such as the Nissan Sentra Nismo. The looks and the ride will give this car some extra flair. Also, soon we will have a Rogue Sport. This will add to the mini SUV segment and make Nissan more competitive. We also look forward to the new Titan in the full-size truck, which will offer an option for diesel engine.
What can customers look forward to from your dealership in 2017?
The Nissan Guam and Infiniti Guam team is fully committed to maintain its lead in the customer experience at any time a customer needs to interact with our operations. We have worked very hard with every team member to always focus on the customer experience, and we are committing to continue doing so in 2017. Not only does our company provide class-leading products, but we back it with excellence in all areas of our business. Just ask a Nissan customer.
Nissan and Infiniti will bring new products to the market, such as the exciting 2017 Nissan Sentra Nismo, the Rogue Sport later this year and the all-new Nissan Titan, which offers the option of a diesel power plant. Infiniti is launching its QX30, a smaller crossover that will appeal to younger buyers and add appeal to our product line.
What have been the biggest positive and negative factors affecting the auto industry in Micronesia the past year?
Guam is growing, thanks to increased visitor arrivals. This offers potential for employment opportunities and potentially higher disposable income for more island residents.
Automobile sales in 2016 have been driven by the release of tax refunds, released in several waves during the year.
Bank financing will be affected by rising interest rates. Likely this will affect borrowers and car sales.
The Guam automobile market is very competitive, as we have seen from new players entering the market and taking an aggressive approach to marketing and selling product.
There is also a change in marketing approach from dealers with increased presence in social media and internet advertising, but also increased presence in local newspaper advertising.
We do anticipate that 2017 will be just as competitive, if not more, as already reflected in the advertising campaigns we have witnessed in the Guam market.
Prestige Automobiles
Shen
Year founded: 1991
President: John Shen
Location: 491 E. Marine Corps Drive in Dededo, Guam
Number of employees: 37
Distributor of: BMW, Mini, Subaru, Land Rover
Top-selling vehicle of 2016: BMW 3 Series and Subaru WRX
What can Guam customers look forward to from your manufacturers in 2017?
We will be introducing brand new models throughout 2017 covering all our brands.
What have been the biggest positive and negative factors affecting the auto industry in Micronesia the past year?
The positive factor is the interest rate of bank car loans for car buyers. The negative factor is the economic uncertainty.
Triple J Guam and Triple J Motors Saipan
Senior vice president: Jay B. Jones
Year founded: 1984
Locations:
- Triple J Ford Mazda Lincoln Volvo – 470 N. Marine Corps Drive Tamuning, Guam 96913
- Triple J Honda Acura Kia – 157 South Marine Corps Drive Tamuning, Guam 96913
- Triple J Used Car Mart – 110 South Marine Corps Drive Tamuning, Guam 96913
- Triple J Motors Saipan – Garapan
Number of employees: Guam – 200, Saipan – 22
Top-selling vehicle: 2016–Mazda CX5 for Guam and Mazda 3 in Saipan
What can Guam customers look forward to from your manufacturers in 2017?
The car market in the United States is expected to soften up in 2017 so it wouldn’t be surprising to see more aggressive marketing and pricing that we on Guam and Saipan would benefit from as well.
What can customers look forward to from your dealership in general in 2017?
The auto business is constantly changing and we at Triple J are no different. It is important to us to evolve and adapt to the growing needs of our customers. About 75% of purchaser research time is spent on digital, so we’ve made enhancements to our website and mobile app that allow customers to see our vehicles in real time — every vehicle in our inventory at 360 degree angles, because we realize we need to bring our dealership to the customer so that they can shop from the comfort of anywhere. Additionally, with one touch on our mobile app, our customers can schedule a service appointment at their convenience. In 2017 we will continue to strive to make it faster and easier than ever to purchase and maintain your new car.
What have been the biggest positive and negative factors affecting the auto industry in Micronesia the past year?
2016 was a good year for Triple J and the auto industry in general. Good interest rates, lower gas prices, a strong U.S. currency and a growing economy are all factors that made it a great year to buy a new car and we are thankful that many Guam and Saipan consumers did just that.
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