Published October 2005

County market grows
with three dealerships

By John Wolcott
SCBJ Editor

Three Snohomish County dealerships are expanding choices in the automotive marketplace, with Dwayne Lane opening a new Suzuki franchise in south Everett, a Mazda dealership opening nearby on Everett’s “auto row” and a new, expanded dealership opening in Lynnwood for Lexus of Seattle.

Snohomish County Business Journal/ JOHN WOLCOTT Dwayne Lane Auto Centers chief executive Tom Lane welcomes visitors to his new Suzuki dealership in south Everett, at 10415 Evergreen Way, featuring the Japanese company’s familiar “red square” entrance.

“The reaction has been very good,” said Tom Lane, chief executive of Dwayne Lane Auto Centers. “Suzuki’s SUVs, trucks, convertibles, coupes and sports cars blend well with our Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep products here. With gas prices rising, there’s a lot of interest in 30-mile-per-gallon-plus vehicles like the ones in the Suzuki line.”

Overall, Lane said, the automotive market in Snohomish County is “pretty good, with a lot of competition and brands ... that’s another reason to bring in Suzuki, to increase our market share and overall volume.”

After more than a year’s absence from Everett, the Mazda brand has returned with new local owners, John DeNike and Jerry McCann. Together, they have 40 years of automotive industry experience, including owning Whidbey Mazda-VW and Bellingham Hyundai.

“Mazda’s vehicles truly have the soul of a sports car,” said McCann. “These vehicles are fun to drive, modern in design, and they’re fuel efficient, too.”

Photo courtesy of Mazda USA John DeNike (left) and Jerry McCann have brought the Mazda name back to Everett with the opening of their new dealership at 10630 Evergreen Way.

Erik Johnson, regional general manager of Mazda North American Operations, said the new owners have “a great track record in customer satisfaction and operational success ... which is already helping the dealership to outpace our forecast by more than 50 percent.”

Lexus of Seattle’s popularity in Lynnwood has prompted a move to larger quarters, a $12 million, 36,000-square-foot headquarters on a 5.4-acre site, offering an expansive showroom and an enlarged, 22,000-square-foot service department that includes 32 service stalls.

Snohomish County Business Journal/JOHN WOLCOTT The new Lexus of Seattle dealership, at 20300 Highway 99 in Lynnwood, is nearly three times the size of its former site a short distance farther south.

President Brad Castonguay said a rapid growth in sales of both new and used vehicles dictated the move.

“We are confident the Lexus market share will continue to grow, and we are ready for it. Lynnwood is an excellent location for us,” Castonguay said, noting the firm has been recognized with the company’s highest honor, the Elite of Lexus award, for four years in a row.

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