Posted on: Wednesday, March 9, 2005

Mercedes dealer sets sights on Maui

By Andrew Gomes
Advertiser Staff Writer

The Mainland automobile dealer partnership that bought Mercedes-Benz of Honolulu and five other Hawai'i dealerships in 2003 has announced plans to expand its Mercedes franchise to Maui.

Fletcher "Ted" Jones Jr. of Las Vegas-based Fletcher Jones Motorcars Inc. and South Carolina dealer Gene Reed yesterday announced they bought 3.2 acres of vacant land in Kahului to develop the Valley Isle's only Mercedes dealership.

The dealership is expected to open toward the end of the year. A two-story, 20,000-square-foot retail center also is planned on a portion of the property and is anticipated to open at about the same time.

"We view Maui as a fast growing market and feel our new dealership will be a great investment," Reed said in a prepared statement.

Previously there had been no Mercedes dealership on Maui, leaving residents to buy the brand in Honolulu or on the Mainland.

The industrial-zoned Kahului site, bordered by Hana Highway, Ka'ahumanu Avenue and Hobron Avenue, was purchased by Jones Reed Maui Property Holdings LLC for an undisclosed price from Honolulu Ltd., a nonprofit affiliate of The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation.

Jones and Reed own Jaguar, Porsche, Land Rover and Mercedes dealerships in Honolulu, and two Honda dealerships on the Big Island. The partners bought the six former TheoDavies dealerships from Hong Kong-based Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd.

Reach Andrew Gomes at agomes@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8065.