VALDOSTA — The former Five Points Toyota is now open as Valdosta Toyota and Scion at its impressive new location on James Road. Built around customers’ needs, the facility is attractive, high-tech and extremely comfortable.

On 10 acres just west of I-75’s Exit 18, three buildings were constructed to recreate the full circle Toyota dealership. The design features a mix of styles with a noticeable modern flair. Holt worked with architect Richard Hill on the project.

A modern backlit portal, 60 feet wide by 34 feet tall, with the company’s signage is the building’s main attraction. It welcomes customers into the 45,000 square foot building that holds the showroom, offices and the service center. Other buildings include a 15,000 square foot collision center and a 4,000 square foot used car center.

Palm trees give the lot a tropical, relaxing ambiance, while the primary building offers a variety of features to make shopping and service as painless as possible for both customers and staff. A spacious showroom is overlooked by a long balcony featuring a magnetic mural that depicts the newest models. To the left, the office gives specialists privacy to provide information to customers. This is also where official deals are made and paperwork is signed.

On the right side, the lobby provides a convenient area for customers and kids to wait. They can watch shows on a flat screen television while they enjoy a bite to eat from a stocked deli and snack bar. Just outside of the lobby, a wide bay allows plenty of space for customers to drop vehicles off for service and the express lube center has a basement allowing teamwork on vehicles.

The service area has many of its own special features. Both heated and cooled, it boasts a high-tech exhaust system in which carbon monoxide is eliminated from the room via suctioning hoses accessed through openings at floor of each service space and attached directly to the vehicle’s exhaust.

Upstairs off the balcony, customers can take advantage of the VIP waiting room with wireless Internet (also available through the building) and flat screen televisions. There is also office space, a kitchen and a training/conference room that will feature a full media center. A large upstairs office for owner Roy Carter overlooks a good portion of the building.

The separate body shop facility has 14 repair bays and two paint booths equipped to cure and seal paint immediately. It also has a breakroom and office space from which insurance adjusters can operate. The used car sales center is complete with its own finance center and break room as well as an adjoining detail shop.

Project contractor Marcus Holt said the facility was built to make a customer comfortable. Areas are spacious and well-lit providing a warm, open, inviting atmosphere.

“Toyota is really pushing the customer-friendly atmosphere,” he said. “Especially taking into account the needs of women.”

In addition to having easy to navigate spaces and service representatives who can clearly explain problems, Valdosta Toyota offers intriguing incentives like a free manicure with oil-change on Mondays and free sandwiches when oil changes take longer than half an hour. Shuttles also run from the dealership to the mall throughout the day.

According to general manager Ashley Carter, the dealership is operating at full capacity now with 400 new vehicles on the lot and more than 90 employees to help with every aspect of the business. Approximately 80 vehicles have already been sold from the new facility. With more than 6,000 units, or cars sold that are in operation, the additional space was needed.

Carter was more than pleased with the finished facility, and he enjoyed working with Marcus Holt, saying he and his staff were honest, on schedule and exceptionally skilled.

“When we started seven months ago, I had no idea it would end up like this,” he said. “I’m not just pleased, I’m overwhelmed with the quality and appearance.”

Carter invites the public to see the new facility and give Valdosta Toyota the chance to provide satisfaction.





Valdosta Toyota

Owner: Roy Carter

General Manager: Ashley Carter

Phone: (229) 247-1920

Location: 2980 James Road

Hours: (sales) 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday; (service) 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.