New Jones Auto Center ‘parking it’ in Maricopa

That loaded Challenger you see is the first car up for sale, and behind the wheel is Nathan Hicks, sales manager of the new Jones Auto Center.

Jones Auto will be rolling up and parking their rides right in the middle of Maricopa on May 23. Say goodbye to the all-day trips to Casa Grande or the Valley in search of that perfect transport at the perfect price; Jones Auto Center will be bringing their vehicle selection here, their fifth dealership location. Their official address will be at 20215 N. John Wayne Parkway, in the area between Big O Tires and Maricopa Self Storage. 

“Needless to say, we’ll have a great looking lot,” said Hicks. “Camaros, Mustangs, Explorers, F150s and Yukons will be lined up across the front. We recently put oversized, aftermarket wheels on a ‘08 Silverado, ‘09 Chrysler 300 and 2010Dodge Challenger, and all of them are looking real good. We also just lifted a 2010 Jeep Unlimited.  Putting the aftermarket wheels, lift kits or lowering kits on our vehicles enables our customers to have the looks they want from day one, and, in most cases, the ability to finance it.” 

“We’ll have all kinds of vehicles available, from the occasional higher mileage, very inexpensive vehicle, to near new Lincolns and other luxury vehicles,” Hicks said. “However, the vast majority of our vehicles will be practical, late model sedans, SUVs, crossovers, trucks and vans.”

For Hicks this expansion of Jones Auto Center to Maricopa is “especially suweeet.” He and his wife Tabri, a kindergarten teacher at Pima Butte Elementary, moved to Maricopa in 2005 and live in Rancho El Dorado with their newborn daughter Alexis. Gone will be his commute, and his sales team will also include local residents Jessie Adams and Raymond Torres. The lot attendant will be Daryl Chee, who started with the company in 2003.

“Each lot showcases its own vehicles, and each store has its own inventory, but each and every vehicle within our organization is available to any store,” Hicks explained. “Additionally, we’ll have drivers on call during the day, so acquiring a vehicle at another location is easily achieved.  We’ll also have a full-time buyer, so on those rare occasions we don’t have the right vehicle, we’ll search high and low at dealer auctions, wholesalers and other avenues to meet and exceed our customers’ needs.”

Starting Thursday, May 26, through Monday, May 30, Hicks is having a Grand Opening Sale, complete with balloons in a 2,000-square-foot tent. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be served to customers over the Memorial Day weekend, and Hicks is hoping for a strong showing. He will be looking for parents of Maricopa High School seniors who are searching for “that perfect graduation gift.”  

Part of the Jones Auto organization since moving from Alaska, Hicks is hoping another local resident from Alaska is able to swing by for the grand opening.

“I'm hoping Bristol Palin finds out there's another Alaskan native in town. I've been wondering, like everyone else, when I'm going to see her, but I'd like to invite her over. We’d love to sell Bristol a car. In fact, I’d personally see to it she receives a discount exclusive to Alaskans.”

For more information on the new Jones Auto Center, call 520-329-CARS (2277).