Planet Hyundai manager has history in car business

Special to Drive

At the age of 24, Planet Hyundai Centennial Sales Manager Brian McKenna is actually a veteran of the car business. Some nine years ago, he was given his start selling used cars for his father.

"I was going to school at the time and during holiday breaks I sold cars in a dealership in New York," recalled McKenna, who joined Planet Hyundai about four years ago. "I needed a job and I could either wash cars or sell them. I selected selling and have been a salesman since I was a little kid."

The car business has its rewards, but it also requires long hours. McKenna, a former football player, said he has never been afraid of long hours.

"I love dealing with people," McKenna said. "I also believe in the product that I sell. Many people who are shopping for a car are either intimidated or scared of the experience and it's my job to put people at ease, while also helping them make an informed decision."

While McKenna could certainly work most anywhere, he loves the Hyundai product and the warranties that protect the customer.

"With the 10-year, 100,000-mile power train warranty and the five-year, 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty we are providing the best protection of any automobile manufacturer in the country right now," he said. "In addition, there is a Hyundai trade-in assurance program that guarantees a minimum of what your Hyundai will be worth at the end of years two, three or four."

McKenna is such a believer in the Hyundai product that he drives a 2012 Sonata.

"It is fuel efficient and stylish," he said of his gray vehicle. "It's safe and it also gets looks. I have people wanting to talk about my car all the time. In my years in the car business, the Hyundai is one of the most interesting stories in the industry. With the design, fuel efficiency and dependability, people cannot go wrong with a Hyundai."

Danny and Roberta Mortensen of Las Vegas have purchased six vehicles from McKenna.

Roberta Mortensen drives a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe while her husband drives a 2009 Elantra Touring car. The couple has owned Volkswagen, Chrysler and Oldsmobile models and bought their first Hyundai in 2003. Roberta Mortensen said the couple now would never own anything other than a Hyundai.

"He was very helpful and provided anything that we needed. We feel comfortable working with him and that's why we continue to go back to Brian every time. He is honest and a fair guy and he does whatever he can to be helpful," Roberta Mortensen said.

"The dealership is great, too. I refuse to go to anyplace other than a Planet Hyundai location."

Located at 6200 Centennial Center Blvd., Planet Hyundai Centennial is near Ann Road and U.S. Highway 95. It offers five acres of automobiles to choose from with a 39,000-square-foot sales and service building.

The company's Southern Nevada automobile dealerships also includes Planet Hyundai Sahara at 7150 W. Sahara Ave.

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