By Richard Smith
Independent Newsmedia

The March 15 soft opening of Subaru Superstore of Surprise completed the fourth growth phase of the Surprise AutoShow, as Honda, Hyundai also opened dealerships in a nine-month span.

Adding this trio of name brands to the heavy hitters already in place just west of Loop 303 and south of Waddell Road gives the auto mall near the still-in-limbo Prasada shopping center nine dealerships and spans most of the top selling brands in the United States.

“The incredible growth of the AutoShow since 2009 has had pronounced impacts on the area. The area developing from zero dealerships to nine dealerships over an eight-year period has brought substantial economic impact to the community from local and regional customers and is helping validate regional retail market opportunities along the Loop 303,” stated Surprise Economic Development Manager Mike Hoover in an email.

Subaru Superstore of Surprise is a two-story, 60,000 square foot, seven-acre complex. It includes a nine-vehicle indoor showroom and vehicle delivery area, fully air conditioned 26-bay service and detail department, a multi-level Subaru parts and accessories warehouse, and offers complimentary Subaru service loaner vehicles.

The dealership will host a Cars and Coffee event from 6 to 9 a.m. Saturday, May 13 at 13090 N. Autoshow Ave. Owner Lisa Cvijanovich stated this event is more of a community familiarization with the dealership than anything else, and Subaru Superstore plans a large grand opening event for mid-October.

She owns this dealership along with her husband, Richard, who serves as the operator, as well as the Subaru Superstore of Chandler, Porsche Chandler and Volvo of Tempe.

Ms. Cvijanovich said the family began discussions with Subaru of America about Surprise in fall 2015. The franchise was awarded to the Cvijanoviches within 30 days.

“Our decision to open was based around completion of the Loop 303 Freeway,” she stated in an email. “The population/business growth opportunities surrounding us north/south/east/west that Surprise (& the West Valley) offers, easy freeway access to the facility from all directions, and being within an established auto park with existing traffic patterns (are the appeal of Surprise).”

Mr. Hoover said the recent addition of three dealerships is a substantial increase in count and enhances the regional retail draw for the area and provides increased economic impact to the community.

“The city has had a close working relationship prior to, during, and after construction with all of the dealerships at the AutoShow. Each dealership has been sensitive to the needs and sensibilities of developing in the community and has distinguished themselves collectively has one of the most attractive locations to shop for a new vehicle,”

Mr. Hoover stated. “Surprise is excited to welcome the Subaru Superstore and proud to be one of the first locations with its updated dealership design.”

Sands Chevrolet was alone at the site for more than a year after opening in 2009 until sister dealer Sands Kia joined. The second wave was Coulter Nissan and Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Surprise, both opening in December 2012.

Toyota of Surprise opened in May 2014 and Surprise Ford arrived that September. There was a lull until Surprise Honda debuted in August 2016 and Rodeo Hyndai arrived in November.

In this case, Ms. Cvijanovich said she does not mind coming in ninth.

“(It’s a) great advantage to come into an existing auto park with established shopping patterns and client knowledge of the area. As the saying goes, Pioneers get arrows, Settlers get land… in our case, the first dealers had to establish the market versus the later dealers arriving to capitalize on the opportunities early adapters provided,” she stated.

It is the fifth Subaru dealership in the Phoenix metro area. Between the two Superstores are more than 700 new, pre-owned, and certified Subaru models available. Mr. Cvijanovich stated that Subaru Superstore locations carry the bulk of Subaru inventory in the Valley in a press release.

“Our vast experience, knowledge and tremendous success (past/current/future) with the Subaru brand adds to all we do. In addition we are ranked No. 1 across the nation for client satisfaction at our Subaru Superstore of Chandler and fully expect our Surprise location to match the client satisfaction rankings. (of almost 700 Subaru dealerships),” Ms. Cvijanovich stated in her email.

For information visit www.ShopSubaru.com or call 623-544-4000.