In December of 2021, Chief Automotive Group purchased Hallmark Hyundai North, conveniently located right off I-55 in Ridgeland, Mississippi. The building was a previously owned Hyundai dealership, and plans for remodeling were started on day one. About six months later, the physical construction started.
Gary Dodson, President of Chief Automotive Group, oversaw the remodel, which is part of a global Hyundai project. “Older Hyundai dealerships have the blue box on one corner of the building and a blue color theme.” Gary continued, “This global rebadging of Hyundai dealerships includes a brown, textured paneling along the front of the dealership and lots of windows.”
The remodel took two years, and the building now looks brand new. In addition to the updates that the global project required, Gary took the opportunity to update the inside of the dealership. The showroom floor has doubled in size, allowing for more cars to be showcased. The shop originally had six bays to help service customers’ cars — there are now 12 bays equipped with all of the latest technology to service everything from ICE vehicles to the newest EVs.
According to NADA, EVs now account for approximately 7% of all automotive sales. That is impressive considering that, just a couple of years ago, that number was about 2%. Hallmark Hyundai North is an EV-certified dealership and is now ready for the customers of the future. “We have two big chargers that people can come and charge their cars. The shop can handle EV battery repair, has special lifts and has all the specific tools needed to handle EV work,” stated Gary.
Along with the larger facility, there have been increased sales and service department visits, and that has allowed for an increase in employees. A few years ago, Hallmark Hyundai North had 25 employees, and today, they have 32. “We’ve been able to hire a few more employees. From a community standpoint and from a partnership with the city of Ridgeland, that brings additional jobs and additional tax revenue,” Gary said. “As car dealers do in most towns, we provide the governments of those towns with a lot of tax revenue and bring a lot of jobs to the market and we’re really proud of that.”
On Oct. 26, 2023, Hallmark Hyundai North celebrated its newly remodeled facility with a ribbon cutting. Ridgeland Mayor Gene McGee, the Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce, city leaders and community members all joined in to help commemorate this tremendous occasion.
Congratulations to Hallmark Hyundai North on your Grand Re-Opening. We wish you years of success!
