Planet manager loves Hyundai quality

After punching a time clock for many years, Jesse Edwards said he now enjoys more freedom and unlimited opportunities in the car business. A native of Detroit, Edwards said he loves working in an industry that allows its workers a level of independence.

“There are so many different levels of employment in the car business,” said Edwards, an Internet sales manager for Planet Hyundai Centennial.

He said many major automobile executives started out as lot porters before climbing the ladder of opportunity.

“Especially in Las Vegas, there are several inspirational stories about people who started young and at the bottom eventually climbing their way up the ladder,” Edwards said.

He started in the business working as a body shop assistant at the age of 14.

“I was always taught by my father to learn as much as possible when you’re young,” Edwards explained. “When I started in the body shop business, I knew right then that I wanted to be involved with the car business in one fashion or another.”

Edwards’ father worked for Ford for 33 years.

“He passed away when I was only 18, but I learned so much from him,” he said.

Edwards started selling cars in 1992 before going to work at Roush Industries, which is owned by auto racing executive Jack Roush.

“As an engineer technician, I was a problem-solver. Ideas came, and it was my job to turn them into reality.”

In 2004, he decided to move West.

Becoming part of the Hyundai team was a natural for Edwards.

“I liked the quality of Hyundai. During the recession, Hyundai stepped up to the plate offering a product that was not only safe but affordable. I care about my customers and I don’t have any concerns when they drive off the lot driving a new Hyundai,” he said.

Planet Hyundai is at 6200 Centennial Center Blvd. For more information, call 702-483-2200 or visit www.planetlv.com.