ATKINS Kroll, joined by CNMI officials led by Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, broke ground Friday on a $23 million Toyota Lexus showroom and service center on Middle Puerto Rico, Saipan.
“We have been in the Northern Marianas for 55 years [and] we have ups and downs like any businesses such as the pandemic [and] typhoons, but we are confident that the CNMI will bounce back, and we believe that we have built a loyal patronage in the community. We have loyal customers in the island and this investment is worth it,” said Alex Hammett, Inchcape managing director for South Asia and Pacific. Atkins Kroll is an Inchcape company.
According to Atkins Kroll, its new 43,800-square-foot facility will include a Toyota showroom, the island’s first dedicated Lexus showroom, AK Saipan’s corporate offices, and an automotive service and body repair shop that will be able to service personal and commercial vehicles.
“The high-tech vehicle repair shop will be close to 30,000 sq. feet and will include 14 vehicle service bays. The auto body shop consists of nine repair bays and a contained and fully ventilated internal paint booth,” Atkins Kroll said.
The architect and project manager for the project are ARI Partners while Saipan-based GPPC Inc. is the contractor.
In a statement, Alex Yap, Atkins Kroll president, said, “We’ve put a lot of thought into designing the new AK facility to make it more environmentally friendly with rainwater harvesting, solar panels for energy offsetting, low-noise-generating equipment, and emission and sound controls. When the new showroom and service center open, our customers will have access to expanded repair services and more amenities. We believe they will like what they see.”
On Aug. 9, 2022, a major siting permit application was submitted to the Division of Coastal Resource Management for the construction of the facility on land owned by Albert LG Camacho and his family.
Hammett said AK on Saipan, which currently has 60 employees, is hoping that the new facility will create more job opportunities for the local community.
“We are expecting to hire about 75 to 100 employees. We are planning to hire locally but we do recognize that there might be some skill shortages and there might be a need to source from overseas. But we always prefer to hire local,” he added.
“Our commitment is to the community. We have been here for 55 years and we are grateful that this new facility will give us 55 years more to serve in the community,” he said.
In his remarks, Gov. Palacios thanked AK “for their continued support and partnership for all these years, not just for their service in the wholesale and automotive business, but also for their philanthropic contributions to our islands.”
He said the project will not only benefit the future of the CNMI through the enhanced revitalization of the area, but it will also provide jobs during the construction phase and after its completion.
Lt. Gov. Apatang, for his part, said AK has always been supportive of the islands, and Toyota is one of the world’s best and most trusted vehicle brands.
He noted that the new facility and similar investments are what the CNMI needs in these tough economic times.
“This kind of investment creates a positive movement in the economy and we are just grateful for AK for all that they do to the CNMI,” Apatang added.
In a ruling on March 7, 2023, the local Supreme Court directed the Superior Court to review the zoning permit issued to Atkins Kroll for a Toyota/Lexus dealership and vehicle repair facility in Puerto Rico.
Anaks Ocean View Hill Saipan Homeowners Association Ltd. is opposed to the issuance of the permit.
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang and other officials pose for a photo with Atkins Kroll executives during a groundbreaking ceremony in Puerto Rico on Friday.
