Nissan Hawaii sells Infiniti dealership

By Dan Nakaso
Advertiser Staff Writer

Charlie King, the owner of King Windward Nissan on O'ahu and King Auto Center on Kaua'i, will take over ownership of the red-hot Infiniti Motor Sales Inc. on March 31.

Nissan Hawaii, which operated the Infiniti dealership on Kilihau Street since its inception in 1989, sold it for an undisclosed price. Nissan officials told the state labor department that they expect the newly renamed King Infiniti of Hawaii, LLC to hire most of the company's 35 employees.

Automobile sales rose 16 percent across Hawai'i last year but sales at Hawai'i's only Infiniti dealership jumped 62 percent, said Eric Miyasaki, president and CEO of Nissan Motor Corp. in Hawaii Ltd.

But Nissan wanted to sell its Infiniti operation in keeping with the corporation's operating plan, Miyasaki said.

"We like to have independent dealers," Miyasaki said. "We found the right candidate, the perfect candidate in Charlie King."

King, who was at the National Automobile Dealers Association Convention in Las Vegas yesterday, said he will bring in Marty Barger as a part owner and general manager. Barger has been with Honda Windward for 12 years.

King believes the Infiniti dealership has even greater potential, in part because of the new QX56 full-sized luxury SUV coming out next month.

He expects to change Infiniti's marketing strategy in Hawai'i and will try to debunk the idea that Infiniti cars and trucks are only for the affluent-minded.

"It's not that much more than a V-6 (Honda) Accord with leather," King said. "It really is an affordable luxury car."

King said he is not looking to buy any more dealerships.

"I didn't really have plans for this," King said. "It's just an opportunity that came along. I don't really have any great appetite for any more."

Reach Dan Nakaso at dnakaso@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8085.