Posted: Wednesday, January 18, 2006 (02:47 PM HST)

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New Nissan Dealership Springs to Life in Kaneohe

By Ed Kemper
Honolulu Streets Magazine.
Photos: Ed Kemper

HONOLULU HAWAII — Not only does Nissan have a cause for celebration nationally but also on the Hawaii front.

For the first time ever, Nissan just sold a million vehicles in the US market during a one-year period.

GRAND OPENING
Locally, the brand new and ultra modern King Windward Nissan dealership located right on Kamehameha Highway in Kaneohe is having its grand opening on Saturday, January 21st starting at 1 pm and going to 4 pm.

GRAND OPENING OF KING WINDWARD NISSAN HIGHLIGHTS Where: 45-568 Kamehameha Hwy. Kaneohe, HI. When: Saturday, January 21st, 2006 1 pm to 4 pm. Entertainment: Napalapalai and 3 Plus Prizes: Prizes, including iPODS, every hour on the hour. Radio: KCCN FM 100 live remote broadcast. MORE ABOUT KING WINDWARD NISSAN Cost: 5.5 million dollars. Building: 25,000 square feet. Cars on Display: 3 in showroom, 150 new vehicles , 65 used vehicles. Service Bays: 12 service bays tied to computer terminals. New Nissan vehicles on display:  Sedans: Sentra, Altima, Maxima. SUVs: Xterrra, Murano, Pathfinder, Armada. Trucks: Frontier and Titan. Minivan: Quest. Sports Car: 350Z. — Ed Kemper

Besides all of the latest Nissan sedans, sports cars, minivans, SUVs, and trucks being on display, entertainment will be provided by Napalapalai and 3 Plus. KCCN FM 100 will have a live remote broadcast along with plenty of prizes and giveaways, including iPODS, every hour on the hour.

After operating on Kahuhipa street in Kaneohe in rather cramped circumstances for many years, the decision was made last year to make the big move into a larger updated store located on the main street of Kaneohe.

At a cost of five and one half million dollars, the building covers about 25,000 square feet. Besides the high tech showroom with its cloud lighting and fluorescent accents, the grounds surrounding the display area holds about 150 new cars, trucks, SUVs and approximately 65 used vehicles. The interior exhibits 3 new vehicles and has an attractive customer waiting area with a 42-inch plasma TV.

As general manager, Bill Michelsen, stated about the new operations "It will be the best place to buy. Best service, best prices, best people, and we will try to be your lifelong friends."

For those in need of service, there are 12 bays with all the techs having computer access for data and special exhaust extraction vents that attach to the exhaust pipes of vehicles to analyze any engine or exhaust problems or issues.

In total, the new dealership will employ about 50. Other King owned auto stores include the King Auto Center in Kauai and the Infiniti of Honolulu dealership.

NISSAN NATIONALLY
Nissan’s success both nationally and locally can be attributed to a complete makeover of the line in the last 4 years.

Recently, Nissan introduced a brand new full size SUV, the Aramda and then spun off that platform their new large truck, the Titan. From there, the midsize Pathfinder and Frontier midsize truck were unveiled. More recently, the completely redone and powerful Xterra was launched only to receive the Motor Trend SUV of the Year Award. For those wanting a different taste in an SUV, the Murano satisfies that need. On the minivan front, the Quest was completely made over.

Similarly the Altima sedan was remodeled a couple of years ago and has been a great success. The slightly larger and totally redesigned Maxima hit the streets more recently.

For sports car lovers, the Z series was brought back with a new look and much greater power than the original famous 240Z. Later, a convertible version of the Z was added to the sports car picture.

For 2006 year, two new Nissans will make their appearance. The Sentra will grow somewhat larger and will have an Altima look, albeit smaller. Even smaller will be the totally new to the U.S. market, Versa. Designed to give excellent fuel economy, but also with room for 5, the Versa will be also the least expensive of the Nissan line for 2006.

Now with the opening of the new King Windward Nissan in Kaneohe, the entire lineup will be available in style and at a convenient location.

—Ed Kemper can be reached at: edracers@aol.com

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