Jim Emerson smiles when asked about the daunting task of moving his Toyota dealership from its current location at 279 Center Street to its new home, the north end of the Emerson Auto Park, at 990 Center Street in Auburn.

“I purchased the dealership in May 1996. Since then, we’ve quadrupled sales,” explains Emerson. “We have simply outgrown the facility.” Emerson attributes the dealership’s success to a sharpened sales approach, “no nonsense” dealing and a quality product in big demand.

“I think we treat people the way we want to be treated,” says Emerson, “None of the old, ‘Just ignore that guy behind the curtain.’ I like to see deals made in a half hour no two or three hour marathons. We believe in giving a fair price and fair trade up front. I think customers appreciate that.

Toyota is turning out a great product, he said. “Today Toyotas are the number #1 selling passenger car in the U.S., and the Camry has been the best selling car in the country for eight years.”

Ford, GM and Chrysler have been known as “The Big Three” in the auto industry. Today, Toyota has replaced Chrysler as the third member of the trio.

Toyota has made a big investment in this country, Emerson points out. “Seventy to eighty percent of Toyota vehicles are being assembled in North America. The company’s new truck plant in San Antonio will be building trucks for many applications including diesel and commercial in 2007 and will have the capacity to produce a million trucks a year.”

Toyota’s growth potential in trucks is another reason for Emerson’s moving his dealership to its new location. With a large, modern facility featuring 16,000 interior square feet and more frontage for displaying new and used vehicles, the dealership will be ready when the expanded allocations arrive on the lot in the future.

In addition, the dealership will be more consumer friendly, offering internet access in the waiting area and a drive -thru service facility where customers can deliver their vehicles directly for repair.

Customers will now drive into the lot, go directly to the shop entrance and drive straight in. From there, they can check in with staff, complete the paperwork, and head for the waiting room while their cars are repaired. They won’t have to go outside and walk in the elements, adds Emerson.

The moving of the dealership is no small task. The paperwork alone, with payroll, deal jackets and customer records, will require the help of Cote Crane to be moved from the premises. Still, with everything to be moved and re-organized, Emerson confirms his Toyota dealership would be open for business on Monday, Nov. 3, and he looks forward to joining brothers John and Jock at Emerson Auto Park.

“It’s going to be convenient for all of us. Even though we have different sales forces and showrooms, we can still be there for each other while maintaining healthy competition,” says Emerson, “and the time for the move was now.”

The new facility will be environmentally friendly as well. A new 550,000 B.T.U. waste oil heating system will heat the shop using automotive waste oil as a heat source.

This will eliminate waste oil disposal while conserving heating oil. It’s a win/win situation for the environment and the dealership.

An open house will be held Tuesday,

Dec. 9, from 4-8 p.m.; everyone is invited

to come in and see the new facility.