Former construction worker heads van sales at Planet Nissan

Nissan is introducing a new cargo van, and Planet Nissan sales consultant Jim Del Grosso is certain that it will take the Southern Nevada valley by storm.

Del Grosso, who spent nearly 30 years in the contracting business, is spearheading the sales of the Nissan NV, which was introduced for the 2012 model year.

"In my years in the local construction trade, I have owned multiple commercial vehicles," said Del Grosso, commercial vehicle accounts manager for the dealership at 5850 Centennial Center Blvd. in the northwest valley. "The major difference in this van and the competition is mainly mobility, comfort and it has state-of-the-art components.

"The ease of working out of it and upfitting it is unmatched. This was a five-year process for Nissan, and it's like no other cargo van out there now."

Del Grosso pointed out that the van is built on a fully boxed heavy duty frame. All engine components are in the front, so servicing the vehicle is easy.

The interior of the van includes various amenities such as center storage with file hanging capability, laptop-computer storage, storage drawers under both front seats, no engine compartment inside and lots of leg room.

Also, all Nissan NV vans come equipped with rear doors that open 243 degrees and magnetize to the sides.

"There is no other cargo van that comes factory equipped with all up-fit mounting locations predrilled and tapped for Adrian Steel up-fit packages. Adrian Steel is one of the largest up-fit suppliers in the world."

Models include the Base S model along with the upgraded SV.

The SV features power windows and locks, eight-way power driver seats, remote-keyless entry with security, reverse sensors, an exterior-chrome package, cargo mats, panel covers inside and two available engines that include the 4.0 liter V-6 and the 5.6 liter V-8.

"The greatest kicker of all is that the SV model gives the owner a heavy duty charging system and two 110-volt power outlets -- one in the rear and the other in the center console featuring a heavy duty charging system with inverter," explained Del Grosso. "Also important to know is that all models, with the exception of the 1500 Series, can be purchased as a high-roof, which features enough height to allow a 6-foot-3 person to walk around inside the van.

"In my years of working in the construction business, I would have never purchased a pickup truck if this van would have been available. There is nothing missing in this van. Nissan has left nothing on the table in this five-year project; it's all here. This is the new way to work."

Del Grosso sold one of the vans to Planet Fitness in Taylorsville, Utah.

"This company looked at our van because of the way it is built," Del Grosso said. "They wanted to present a state-of-the-art mobile billboard replacing their fixed billboard, which was costing them thousands of dollars a month."

Lisa Dang Pilzer, owner of Planet Fitness, praised the vehicle.

"In addition to looking great and being incredibly functional for our business, one side of the van is 22 by 11 and an equivalent billboard would cost $2,100 a month," Pilzer said. "Because our van is four-sided, we have unlimited marketing possibilities."

The van can be seen on the company website www.planetfitness.com by clicking Utah, then Taylorsville and go to the pictures.

Pilzer and her husband, Paul, lauded Del Grosso in an email saying, "Jim did a great job for us and is the No. 1 specialist in the U.S. for Planet Fitness Nissan NVs."

For more information, contact Del Grosso at 302-3015 or call 876-8000 or visit www.planet-nissan.com.

The dealership is part of Super Store Auto Group, which has five dealerships in Southern Nevada and 26 nationwide.