Planet Hyundai dealerships lead Nevada in sales for 2011

The pair of Southern Nevada Planet Hyundai dealerships closed out a blockbuster year recording more than 4,000 sales of new and preowned vehicles during 2011 to officially become the No. 1 selling Hyundai dealerships in the state.

"We're No. 1 because of the ownership of these stores," said Planet Hyundai Sahara Sales Manager Ernie Leon, who closed about 1,400 sales for the year. "Their attitude that the customer is No. 1 is sincere and not just sales talk. We have had so many customers come back to us and that's a direct tribute to the owners of the two dealerships."

Leon said the dealerships outsold every other Nevada Hyundai dealership by at least 60 percent . The Elantra and Sonata models generated more than 1,300 of the dealerships' sales.

Planet Hyundai Sahara was acquired by the present owners in March 2010 . The owners are 40-year Las Vegas resident Ron Coury and his friend of many years, Don Tamburro. Planet Hyundai Centennial was added to the team in April 2011.

"We're up about 500 car sales over 2010," said Leon, a 45-year-old native of Cuba who formerly worked as an electrician. "This is truly a very rewarding profession. I love coming to work every morning. Our customers are treated with respect and dignity."

Leon pointed out that the training provided to sales consultants is invaluable.

"Sales consultants here must participate in rigorous training before selling vehicles and part of that training is based on properly taking care of the customer."

Planet Hyundai Centennial Sales Manager Carlos Hidalgo, a 16-year veteran of the car business who has been with Hyundai for eight years, echoed Leon's statements.

"The owners here had the foresight to see the success of these stores," said Hidalgo, 34. "In fact, the Planet Hyundai dealerships have combined to become one of the best business success stories in Southern Nevada."

Korean-born Ronald Youn was the top salesman for the Sahara location for 10 months of 2010. He enjoys an extensive return customer following.

"I agree that the customer service element is a huge key to our quick success," said Youn, a seven-year veteran of the car business . "In addition, we are very lucky to be selling a vehicle as highly respected as the Hyundai."

Tony Fisher, who was the top-selling Hyundai sales consultant in the nation in 2007, is another employee who not only enjoys the car business but also respects the leadership of both Planet Hyundai stores.

"We have excellent leadership," said Fisher, who works at the Sahara location. "This is like a family here and the sales results are proof that the philosophy is working well."

Hyundai's 10-year, 100,000-power train warranty and five-year, 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty together are considered major contributors for the company's success. In addition, Hyundai Assurance's Trade-in Value Guarantee ensures the value of a vehicle for a 48-month period.

Planet Hyundai dealerships are headed by general managers Skip Shakely (Centennial) and Jason Tamburro (Sahara).

"The first thing we did when we purchased the dealership was to train our people," Tamburro said. "We implemented our sales system and started building some structure with our people. Being a privately owned company means that each customer is viewed differently and is a little more important than they otherwise might be elsewhere; there is a true difference. People like the fact that they can walk into a dealership and find someone who can make a decision for them. We have good people working for us and when you are able to put everything together, good things usually happen."

"Speaking for this Centennial location, it has exceeded our expectations," said Shakely, who has been in the car business for 37 years. "I think 2012 will be even better than last year. "

Planet Hyundai Sahara is located at 7150 W. Sahara Ave. while Planet Hyundai Centennial is in the northwest valley at 6200 Centennial Center Blvd.

Further information can be found by visiting www.planetlv.com or by calling 938-1400 (Sahara) or 483-2200 (Centennial).