Car buying choices are opening up as dealerships and economy car brands grow; the newest is the new Hyundai dealership in Stamford.
Andy Shapiro, co-partner and general manager of the Stamford Hyundai dealership, said the shop will open its doors for a soft opening in the first week of June and will have a grand opening on July 15.
The dealership will share its arrival with fellow South Korean brand Kia entering the city. Subaru Stamford will open a Kia dealership on Baxter Avenue this month.
Shapiro said, “It”™s a terrific market for the growing brand; it has gotten better and better.”
His sentiment was echoed by a recent report by the Connecticut Automotive Retailers Association said in a recent report that positive growth from economy auto brands is good news and reflects an increase in strength and confidence in the economy. Between 2008 and 2010, dealer numbers dropped from 330 in 2008 to the current number of 245, according to the association.
The growth is not limited to economy brands; Miller Motorcars in Greenwich plans to open a service facility neighboring the Hyundai dealership on Magee Avenue for ultra-upscale car brands such as Aston Martin, Bentley, Maserati, Rolls-Royce and Alfa Romeo.
The Hyundai dealership at 85 Magee Ave. is owned and operated by Jersey City-based Hudson Auto Group, which owns Hudson Hyundai and Hudson Subaru in New Jersey.
The dealership will occupy a 14,000-square-foot building that previously housed a Saturn dealership and before that a Department of Motor Vehicles office.
Shapiro said the dealership will fill a gap in the Hyundai brand coverage area.
“For Fairfield County, the nearest dealerships are either in Milford, New Rochelle, or White Plains. There is a clear void.”
The South Korean automaker had in the past year called for its dealer network to submit applications to represent the brand in Fairfield County. Hudson Auto Group was chosen from the submissions.
Shapiro said the Hyundai brand has gained in popularity through the economic downturn and emerged this year as a more sought after brand than only a few years ago.
“The brand has definitely gained in acceptance in specific demographic areas,” Shapiro said. Design, fuel efficiency and quality have all been factors, he said, that have encouraged more customers with higher credit scores to come look at Hyundais.
