Joeten Motors now has more room to grow

Joeten Motors Co. president Frances Demapan, second left, joins Joeten Enterprises board of directors, from left, Norman Tenorio, Annie Sablan, Clarence Tenorio Sr., and Priscilla Tenorio in yesterday’s blessing of the “soft opening” of their Kia showroom. (Jon Perez)

Joeten Motors Co. held a “soft opening” for two of its showrooms yesterday, which gives company officials and its sales teams more room to operate and further promote and sell the automobile brands they import to the CNMI for the local market.

JMC president Frances Demapan and general manager Matthew Deets led the inauguration that was also attended by Joeten Enterprises board of directors Annie Sablan, Clarence Tenorio Sr., Norman Tenorio, Patricia Palacios, Priscilla Tenorio, other company officials, employees, and other guests that became their business partners throughout the years.

The soft opening was for Joeten Motors’ Kia showroom, which boasts of a spacious interior where interested customers can view the latest models of the Rio, Forte, Cadenza, Soul, and Sportage that are among the Korean car manufacturer’s world bestsellers. The Nissan showroom, adjacent to Kia’s, also opened yesterday.

“About a year and a half ago, we all gathered here for the ground breaking of this project. But eight months later, Typhoon Soudelor struck and devastated Saipan. It destroyed homes, businesses, and devastated our dealership,” said Demapan in her opening remarks.

She added that teamwork brought Joeten Motors quickly back on its feet. “Our entire JMC team were so resilient during this difficult time. In spite of them having lost their homes, we got right back up.”

“Everyone rolled up their sleeves to help clean and rebuild the dealership to its full operation. With a lot of help, I’m proud to say that Joeten Motors was back serving customers within a week. It’s all about teamwork. God bless you guys.”

Demapan said the showroom would be Kia’s permanent modern home, far from the “sleepy lot toward the entrance of Joeten Superstore (the old Costco)” where the cars were first displayed and sold 16 years ago when they acquired the franchise of the Korean carmaker.

Deets, on the other hand, said that they expect a further increase in volume of Kia cars with the new showroom. In 2015 alone, JMC sold 191 Kia cars, which is a third in the CNMI automobile market.

“There are a variety of factors contributing to the rise in auto sales in the CNMI. In 2015, we saw growth in both the private and business sectors with new investments coming to the island. We have seen a spike in the months following Typhoon Soudelor but we have been experiencing steady growth for the past five years,” said Deets.

“We project that we are going to exceed 200 units in 2016. Our proximity to Korea is one reason why we can easily get Kia cars. We already have the 2017 Sportage and we already sold two units,” Deets added.

Demapan said Joeten Motors’ official grand opening will take place once the third phase of their dealership expansion finishes with the completion of Ford and Honda showrooms within this year. “Just around the corner, we will be completely rebuilding our Ford and Honda showrooms in order to make room for another outstanding and modern showroom to better serve our customers.”

Diocese of Chalan Kanoa Apostolic administrator Rev. Fr. Ryan Jimenez blessed the showrooms as company executives believe it would lead to the success of the business and protection of their employees and customers.