Page 52 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2016

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY convenient location ESTABROOK
Growing business in new location
story by Alexis Williams photos by John Stricklin
I t’s been two years since Estabrook Toyota moved from its long time location on south Market Street in Pascagoula to a new, state-of-the-art facility on Highway 63 in Moss Point, just south of I-10.
“This location is more convenient for all Toyota customers,” said General Manager Drew Estabrook. “Since the move, business is going very well. We are up 40 percent. It’s been a good move for us.”
Not only has business grown, but so has their workforce. Since the new facility opened, Estabrook Toyota has added eight employees bringing the total number of employees to 55.
The Toyota dealership, which includes a 40,000-square- foot showroom and service center, is located on about eight acres, with Estabrook Motors owning a total of
17 acres. The dealership is selling approximately 165 vehicles, new and used, each month and also has a busy service department. On average, Estabrook Toyota has a stock of 250 vehicles on its lot.
The Estabrook Motor Company also owns a Ford and Nissan dealership in Pascagoula but has no immediate plans to move this dealership to Moss Point. “The Ford facility is pretty new, only about ten years old,” adds Estabrook.
Estabrook says the new location is bringing customers
REED (left) AND DREW ESTABROOK at their new state-of-the- art Estabrook Toyota facility in Moss Point.
from all over the region, including the Florida panhandle, New Orleans, Hattiesburg and even Jackson. However, the dealership’s primary market focus is Jackson and George Counties.
“With gas prices staying low lately, we are seeing more truck and SUV buyers,” says Estabrook. He adds that Toyota RAV 4-s, Highlanders, Tundras and Sequoias remain popular.
“It used to be that the Camry sold the most, but it’s not that way anymore,” he said. “With gas prices low, the Camry buyers are moving to things such as RAV 4s (Toyota’s small SUV).”
Last year, Estabrook says their number one selling vehicle was Toyota Camry followed by the Tacoma truck, but this year, the Tacoma is leading the way followed by the larger Tundra truck.
Estabrook Toyota
6521 Highway 63, Moss Point 855.805.9763 www.estabrooktoyota.com
52 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • August 2016
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