Jeep thrills on offer at Prestige showroom

The island’s newest car dealership will also showcase the Dodge Caliber, with the Jeep Compass to follow in the New Year.

The Hamilton garage plans to diversify into the marine market, too, and will sell Suzuki Outboard boat engines next year.

Shortage

Prestige Autos was founded by Richard Davidge and Joe Rebello after they saw a gap in the market for SUVs.

Mr. Davidge said: “Joe and I started talking about going into business together about a year ago.

“We knew some of the older SUVs were coming to the end of their life and that there was going to be a shortage, as the next generation of models were getting too big for the island.

“That’s why we knew there was an opportunity for the Jeeps.”

Under Government guidelines, the maximum size for private motor vehicles is 175 ins long and 71 ins wide. Mr. Davidge said: “We were looking for a brand that was going to be strong in terms of name recognition and which offered something new. Joe and I both knew the distributor for Jeeps in the Caribbean and Bermuda, so started discussions.”

The first Jeep Patriots arrived on the island two weeks ago. Dodge Caliber hatchbacks will join them on the forecourt next weekend, followed by the Jeep Compass in the New Year.

Mr. Davidge said 16 of the 30 ordered Patriots have been sold already.

He added: “They will be popular because they are a new vehicle to Bermuda.

“They are solid, strong vehicles that are put together well.”

Prestige Autos is based at the Eurocar and Executive Autos dealership on Woodlands Road. Mr. Davidge, a majority owner in the two existing businesses, said: “The Mercedes line is getting smaller so we will put the Jeeps in there (the Executive Autos showroom) and also in the Eurocar showroom.”

Mr. Rebello is owner of the JNT Ltd. Suzuki dealership in Parliament Street.

Mr. Davidge said: “We also have the Suzuki Outboard engine dealership and will be importing them by the end of the year.

 “We look forward to customers coming by and looking at the engines as well as the cars.”

Loan

The Prestige Autos Grand Opening is next Saturday, when the company hopes to finalise a special introductory loan.

The Jeep Patriot retails for $49,450, or $52,500 with a nine-speaker Boston sound system and auto air conditioning. The Dodge Caliber is $38,500 or $42,850 with leather seats and auto A/C.

Both vehicles are 2011 models and right-hand drives made for Bermuda.

For details call Mr. Davidge or Randy Wells on 278-3535.