After a dozen years of doing business on Kaua‘i, King Auto Center shows no signs of slowing down.
This weekend marks the company’s 12th anniversary, which has been celebrated all month with promotions. In addition, work began in February on a complete remodel of the interior and exterior.
And in the April issue of Hawaii Business magazine, King was named one of the best places to work in Hawai‘i for medium-sized businesses. It was also the only Kaua‘i-based company to grace the list.
According to the article, King Auto “rocks” because employees are offered the use of company vehicles and the company has also paid for airfare in employees’ family emergencies.
The same magazine has consistently ranked the company among Hawai‘i’s top 250 businesses every year since 2000, and last year it made the top 150.
General Manager Jose Aguayo, who has been with King Auto since day one, attributes the dealership and service center’s success to a loyal group of employees in an industry that’s known for its high turnover rates. Of the 56 current workers, 26 have stuck with King for 10 or more years.
The slogan, “We’re lifetime friends,” is more a reflection of the company culture than just a catch phrase, according to Aguayo. When employees know they have the entire team backing them up, then “they’re empowered to take care of the customer,” he said.
The same philosophy of friendship and family impacts customer relations.
Familiar faces and consistent service create a foundation of trust for when the inevitable happens: a car part breaks and needs repair.
“When something goes wrong, that’s the real test of whether (a customer will) come back,” Aguayo said. “It’s good to do business with friends.”
Over the past decade, King has expanded its volume of new and used car sales. It also added a detail department, which has been “hugely successful,” said Aguayo.
Despite rising fuel costs and a weakening national economy, Aguayo said its service, parts and detail business have not skipped a beat.
Sales of used cars are holding steady, and new car sales have yet to flounder.
The expansion plans include a new Honda facade, computer work station, a kids’ play area and a parts boutique for shopping.
“We wanted to provide a better environment for our customers and employees,” said Aguayo.
The goal is to wrap up construction by the end of the summer.
• Blake Jones, business writer/assistant editor, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or bjones@kauaipubco.com.
