Driving along South Camp Road these days, you cannot help noticing that the landscape between numbers 49¹/²-51 looks pleasantly different. That's because Stewart's Auto Sales has transformed the Suzuki and Mitsubishi dealerships, as well as its Honda motorbike showroom, into a one-stop state-of-the art facility. The Mercedes Benz transformation will soon follow.

Scheduled to officially open in two weeks, The Gleaner got a sneak peek into the spacious new facility.

Stewart's Auto Sales & Suzuki Division will close its doors at 6-8 Orchard Road tomorrow and will reopen on Monday, September 17, at its new location. Stewart's Auto BMW dealership will remain at Orchard Road.

Premium service to its customers remains paramount and Suzuki, a leading value brand in the suite of automotive dealerships under the Stewart's Automotive Group, will now join other flagship brands, including Budget Car Rental on one campus location. Suzuki's sales team have already made the transition to their new home.

The entire team apologises to its loyal customers for any inconvenience caused and can't wait to welcome them to the new facility.

"We are very proud of the work put in by the team and we look forward to continue serving our customers in good times and challenging," said Jacqueline Stewart Lechler, a director for the group.

She said the retooling and upgrade, aspects of which were still in progress at the time of The Gleaner's visit, cost a whopping US$6 million (J$540 million). They employ some 492 persons.

What you can expect

The space, which previously housed another brand, has been transformed into a pristine showroom for Suzuki models (including the sexy, upscale Kizashi). The reception area is almost complete and features comfy seating, flat-screen television sets, as well as adequate customer service stations and clean restrooms.

This is the same for Mitsubishi and Honda motorcycles, while the entire compound has been freshly paved, and clear signage is everywhere. The customer can rest assured that all service and diagnostic centres and workshops are equipped with new state-of-the-art equipment and a team of factory-trained technicians and automechanics.

Naturally, the new corporate suite of offices have been exquisitely decorated, with accent and other walls bearing masses of Stewart family photographs, depicting the clan at work, play or marking memorable milestones in the business founded in 1938 by Lionel Arthur Stewart, father of Richard Stewart.

barbara.ellington@gleanerjm.com