The ATL Automotive Group opened its ninth location on Friday, August 28, at the Ocho Rios Bypass Plaza, St Ann.

“My late incredible father grew up about 1,000 feet east of where we are in this incredible town, and as a youngster his mother, my grandmother, ran a retail store here. And the genius of what became ATL 58 years later was consummated right here in the town of Ocho Rios. So, being here 58 years later, opening a brand new facility, I want to recognise my dad, and all the people that have worked for ATL all those years and that have gotten us to where we are,” Adam Stewart, executive chairman, ATL Automotive Group, told guests at the grand opening event.

Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change Matthew Samuda, who is the Member of Parliament for St Ann North Eastern, welcomed the investment in the constituency.

From left: Mark Dommisse, managing director, ATL Automotive Group; Kellise Wong, group marketing manager, ATL Automotive Group; Sloane Jackson, general manager, ATL Automotive Ocho Rios; Adam Stewart, executive chairman, ATL Automotive Group; Patrick Wilson, CEO, ATL Automotive Group; Matthew Samuda, minister of water, environment and climate change and Member of Parliament for St Ann North Eastern; Andrew Khan, sales manager, ATL Automotive Ocho Rios; Theresa Higgins Edwards, senior marketing manager, ATL Automotive Group; Stephen Hector, group strategic marketing and digital director, ATL Automotive Group; and Danielle Blake-Grant Group Digital Manager, ATL Automotive Group.Photos: Rory Daley

“This evening is a night to congratulate and to mark a particular milestone. It is good to see commerce return to Ocho Rios in this way,” said Samuda.

Sloane Jackson, general manager, ATL Ocho Rios, was also on hand to reiterate the further economic contribution the new showroom will make.

The new ATL Auto location in Ocho Rios will house sales, service, and parts for the north-western end of the island.

“Almost 20 of the people that work for me come from St Mary or from St Ann. We’re hiring locally. We’re training local talent, and we’re using that local talent to bring the goods and services of ATL to the customer,” explained Jackson.

Pointing out that the showroom had been functional since April, Jackson said, “We’ve been selling cars in May, June, July, August, so we’ve been operational for four months. We’ve also been servicing for that time.”

The brand new facility will host sales, service and parts for nine of the ATL Automotive Group’s brands — Honda, Kia, Porsche, Audi, MG, Omoda Jaecoo, Foton, and BYD. The 3,150-square-foot showroom can accommodate six display cars, plus one space for customer delivery, while up to 12 models can be kept externally. The parts and service bays are of similar size to the main showroom.

ATL Automotive Ocho Rios currently offers service to Honda and Kia vehicles.

“Our staff complement is 24. We’re looking to grow that to 30 before the end of the year, and with our continuous growth, it might get to 40 by the end of next year,” said Jackson.

The four service bays are set up to handle the Kia and Honda brands at a collective 16 units a day. Service support for BYD, MG, and Foton is expected to arrive at the end of the year.

Jackson explained that the showroom eases the burden on customers in the north-western side of the island, as they will no longer have to make the long trek to either Montego Bay or Kingston to view a unit, purchase one of the nine brands, or have general service done on their ATL Automotive vehicle.

“In the month of September we’re starting with a discount of 15 per cent on parts and labour,” said Jackson.

The site will also house an Appliance Traders Limited store, replacing the Newlin Street, Ocho Rios, location.

The new ATL Auto in Ocho Rios will feature nine of the group’s brands.