Local car dealer Cleve White has opened Superior Automotive in the former location of Cleve White Nissan on U.S. Highway 301 South.
    White sold his Nissan dealership to the Savannah-based Vaden Automotive Group two years ago, and has been “retired” from the car business for the last year-and-a-half because of an agreement he signed with Vaden. With that now behind him, White is jumping back into car sales.
    “I worked for Vaden for a six-month transition period after I sold the dealership,” White said. “I learned a great deal during that time. I was able to learn the different aspects of how a big dealership is operated which is helping me a great deal with this one.”
    White said those familiar with the old facility which housed both Cleve White Nissan and then Vaden Nissan (for two years before moving into its new facility on Brannen Street) will notice big changes to the main building and service department.
    “We have repainted, recarpeted, renovated the restrooms, and the interior in general,” he said. “We have also enlarged the customer waiting area in the service department building and have added a nice television.”
    White said the service department is what sets his dealership apart from other used-car dealerships.
    “There are certainly a number of used-car sales operations here in Statesboro, but none of them have a parts and service department,” he said. “Obviously, new car dealers that also sell used vehicles have one, but I am referring to used-car sales only. We can service the cars that we warranty, and I feel that is very important.”
    Statesboro resident Mary Ann Blakely recently bought a car from Superior Automotive and was pleased with the experience.
    “I needed a car desperately, and Cleve is a neighbor of mine, so who better to go to than your neighbor,” she said. “They were absolutely wonderful, not just Cleve, but his entire staff. They were so professional. I can't say enough good things about my experience there.”
    White said he had always wanted to do things a little differently than how he feels things are done in a new-car dealership.
    “I want a customer to be able to come into our dealership and just talk to one person, not several, in trying to buy a car,” he said. “It shouldn't take as long as it tends to in dealerships. You should be able to come in here and buy a car in 45 minutes, not two hours and 45 minutes. That is the buying experience that you will have with us.”
    White said he and his staff are careful not to pressure customers. Heather Allen recently bought a car there and said the “no pressure” approach was important to her.
    “My car was recently totaled, and I had to buy a new one,” she said. “This is the first car that I have bought with my own money, and it was my first buying experience which was very stressful. I went online to look for cars, and my email and cellphone 'blew' up with dealers trying to get a hold of me. It was crazy.
    “I did not have that feeling at Superior,” she continued. “They were so helpful and really worked with me regarding the features that I wanted and my budget. I can't say enough good things.”
    White said he has 30 cars for sale now and expects his inventory to include 80 vehicles in the near future. White's new dealership's website is www.
superiorautoofstatesboro.com.