Owner: Convenience key for new auto sales, service location

Mansfield Auto World will do business in the fall as Marketplace Chevrolet Buick, serving Desoto and Red River parishes.

James Lynch, dealer/owner, and John Adams, general manager/owner, said this new location will better assist customers in routine maintenance needs and will be conveniently located for Interstate 49 traffic. The company will also keep their first location in Mansfield with a pre-owned lot, body shop and immediate service. The new location will be at 123 Marketplace Drive, off I-49 at the Stonewall Exit, Highway 3276.

For Lynch and Adams it’s a very exciting time. “Regarding the new addition, we’re most looking forward to having everyone on our staff under one roof with the newest technology and advancements that will allow us to better serve both DeSoto and Red River [parishes] market needs,” Adams said.

“We’ve also invested in the latest technology for the operations of our new facility which will help to get our customers in and out with far faster service,” Lynch said.

The dealership’s service department will feature full service bays, quick lube bays and a car wash. The facility will offer one of the area’s only climatecontrolled shops with 13 shockwave lifts, and as with most new dealerships a detail area for full-service detailing.

The grand opening is expected to be held in September of this year. “We’ll have ample opportunities for our core customers to get a first-hand look at our new home, and an official grand opening for the market allowing for open tours of the new dealership, a meet and greet with the owners and employees, and a good time for all,” Lynch said.

“The most exciting part of being at the helm of Mansfield Auto World is building relationships with employees, vendors and customers,” Lynch said.

“It’s these individuals who make us what we are. Now with the move, building a new facility and the opportunity to grow our Chevrolet Buick dealership, we’re enjoying the opportunity to broaden our marketplace.”

The new location will also include an extensive after-sales department for service, parts and accessories and inventory of nearly 400 new cars and trucks. “We are transitioning the current employee base to the new location, but also hiring into many positions including service, parts and sales,” Adams said. “We’re in the hiring process and applications are available.”

As is the case in most transitions, timing is a key factor for success. “The goal for our dealership this year, and even into 2016, is to continue to grow in our market, but not too fast,” Lynch said.

“We want controlled growth so that we can continue to always put our customers first.”

The new dealership addition hasn’t come without it’s set of challenges – of the weather variety. “I can’t remember having this much rain! I’m not complaining about something that I can’t control, but it certainly has delayed our project,” Lynch said. “We originally planned to have our new facility completed in May, and were fortunate to get the foundation and a roof on the building when we did. Lately, our progress has been inside of the building. Now that we are getting some cooperation from Mother Nature, we’re trying to make up for lost time.”

But Mansfield Auto World – soon to be Marketplace Chevrolet Buick – is more than just quality service – they’re all about people, Lynch said.

“We’ve always tried to create a family environment and focus not just on the sell, but service after the sell. That means we train our people to be knowledgeable, courteous, proactive and thorough,” Lynch said. “In today’s business environment, retaining customers long term is the most important thing we can do. Repeat customers have made us successful for 25 years. This is one thing that is not going to change.”

“James and I have always been very hands-on and available to our customers, serving our customers as we would want to be served,” Adams said. “I want to assure our local customers that with this new opportunity, we will afford both long-time and new customers an improved level of care. The building will offer more advanced technology and resources allowing our team to continuously improve their job performance, ultimately improving each customers’ overall experience. As we look to hire additional team members, it is important to us to also assure the existing team that they are valued assets to our growth and will be provided all of the resources and tools necessary to continue in our journey.”

–Betsy St. Amant