Hyundai dealer moves to Sunrise Highway

For decades, West Merrick Road has been the place to go to buy a car in Valley Stream. That is beginning to change, with the recent opening of two car dealerships on Sunrise Highway near the Green Acres Mall, including South Shore Hyundai.

The Hyundai dealer, which features new and used car sales as well as a service center, unveiled its new location on Sunrise Highway on Aug. 12 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce. South Shore Hyundai, which relocated from Merrick Road, took over the old Petco building.

“We wanted a newer building,” said Jason Montalvo, the general manager of South Shore Hyundai, adding that the new facility is larger, has more parking and is easier for customers to get to.

The lower level showroom has room for nine cars. The used car inventory has also grown from 35 vehicles to 75. Montalvo said sales doubled in the first month at the new building. The goal, he explained, is to go from selling about 120 cars per month at the old location to at least 300.

He said those prospects are good with the new location. “Ten million people go to the Green Acres Mall,” he said, “and with us being in front, visibility is a million times better.”

South Shore Hyundai acquired the building about 18 months ago. Montalvo said renovations took place from March right up until it opened in early July. There was extensive construction, he explained, including reinforcing the steel that supports the first floor. After four months of work, Montalvo said it is a modern, safe and state-of-the-art facility.

Fred Luhn, South Shore’s business development manager, said he hopes to see even more car dealerships join Hyundai and Advantage Toyota, which recently moved from Lynbrook, on Sunrise Highway in Valley Stream. In the car sales industry, more competition actually helps, he explained, because prospective buyers head to areas where they have many options. “The best brand and the best sales people win,” he said.

Mayor Ed Fare said he is happy to see some of the car dealerships move from Merrick Road to Sunrise Highway because it puts the businesses further away from homes. It creates a more ideal situation for both residents and businesses, he explained. “That begs the question,” he said, “what are they going to do with the [empty] car dealerships on Merrick?”

Fare added that there are other locations still available on Sunrise that could accommodate dealers.

The Aug. 12 ribbon cutting wasn’t the only part of South Shore Hyundai’s grand opening week. Last Friday, it hosted an animal adoption in conjunction with the North Shore Animal League. The dealership will also be working with local schools to provide backpacks for children.

Luhn said that South Shore Hyundai will be more than just a business in Valley Stream. “We’re trying to make a name for ourselves in the community by doing for the community,” he said.

Montalvo added that the entire staff of South Shore Hyundai is excited by the move, and he believes customers will embrace the new, more convenient location. “People know the Green Acres Mall,” he said. “It’s a landmark. It’s been here a long time. We’re going to be here a long time.”