DESPITE a 25 per cent downturn in used-car sales, Kingston-based dealership Carland is planning to rev things up.

The Tariq Malik-led organisation plans to break ground this quarter for a

$140-million, 30,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art building on its current Old Hope Road address.

“We’re upping our game. It will be a first-class facility of service, parts, and a modern showroom. It will be a full-service facility. We’ll be breaking ground this year,” said Malik, managing director of Carland.

The Pakistan-born MD said on completion, the facility will add 15 persons to its existing staff complement of 45.

“Even though the economy is stagnant, we still need to gear up to improve our business. We’re committed to it… we’re always enhancing it, we’re always adding stock and improving our sales,” he said.

Weeks ago, Toyota Jamaica broke ground on the same road for a $400-m complex. That is to be completed next year.

A certified automobile engineer, Malik said plans for his new facility were drawn up in 2010, but were constantly put off.

“We’re now ready to put the plans in motion, as this year marks our 30th year in business,” he said.

The MD said he places a high premium on the quality of products, service and prices offered to his customers, as they are the ones who make or break any business.

“We enjoy one of the highest numbers of repeat customers. We have become suppliers of vehicles to second-generation customers… fathers have brought their sons to us. Now, that is trust,” he said.

He said for the past 17 years, his company has been giving a one-year warranty on drive trains.

In November 2010, Malik received a Gold Award from the Business Initiative Directives (BID) organisation for his company’s business acumen at its International Quality Crown Convention in London.

The MD said the used-car sector is a vital one.

“Used cars from the first-world countries hardly have any wear and tear. It’s just the fact that the year has changed and the prices are better,” he said.

“The deal on a used car is much more attractive than a new car,” he continued.

Started in 1985, Carland began as a dealer for high-end European cars such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Volvo, and later expanded to include popular Japanese brands like the Lexus.

An executive member of the Jamaica Used-Car Dealers Association (JUCDA), Malik said the organisation is currently drafting a proposal to submit to the government which could result in lower prices for vehicles.

“We are currently speaking with the Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Anthony Hylton, with proposals to make cars more affordable to the Jamaican populace, given the current economic situation. We will be submitting them next week,” he said.