Central Michigan Kenworth, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eastern Michigan Kenworth, has opened a dealership location in Lansing, to enhance customer reach

. The location, which housed another truck manufacturer, was converted to Kenworth.

The dealership, which is part of Kenworth's network of more than 300 locations in the U.S. and Canada, is located on 7.5 acres of land near the corner of South Cedar Street, a major business thoroughfare, and East Jolly Road, just north of Interstate 96.

"By opening this new location, we're offering customers in a large, previously underserved geographical area, more access to award-winning trucks and service from Kenworth and to aftermarket parts from Paccar Parts," said Jesse Berger, Eastern Michigan Kenworth dealer principal.

"By locating a Kenworth dealership here, we just cut the drive time in half for many customers," Berger said. "We're also offering trucking companies located to the north, in towns like Flint, and to the south, in towns like Jackson, a convenient stop for service."

The new location features a 13,500 square-foot service department with seven service bays, including a wash bay and a bay dedicated to Kenworth PremierCare ExpressLube and AC preventive maintenance services. The dealership also includes a PacLease franchise and an interior showroom. The dealership's parts department has 600 square feet of retail space, 4,000 square feet of parts storage, and a parts delivery truck.

"Lansing offers some great opportunities, not only because it is the capital of Michigan and the state's fifth largest city, but also because it's largely a rural area," Berger said. "With state agencies and Michigan State University located in Lansing, the potential market for medium-duty trucks is large."

More info: www.kenworth.com