Saitta Trudeau set to open new body shop

If you have experience working in a body shop setting, Saitta Trudeau Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge has an opportunity for you.

The auto dealer is opening a paint and body shop scheduled to open in early May, and is looking to hire five positions in the body shop and two additional positions at the dealership.

Those positions vary from mechanical work, painting, body work, front desk clerical duties, and one managerial position. Successful candidates will have two years minimum experience according to the dealership.

The addition was a natural move, as the automotive dealer has been asked by customers where to have their cars repaired daily over the years.

“We have people come into the dealership every day asking where (they can get their car worked on),” Tom Saitta said. “Some people are surprised we don’t have a body shop, and the next question is, ‘who do you recommend?’ So, rather than refer that business away, we’d like to bring it into the dealership.”

Insurance practices also played a role in the dealership’s decision to add the body shop, as business that could be kept in town has been referred over the hill.

“Insurance companies are referring customers to Las Vegas to get their cars fixed because we don’t have a body shop with the DRP (Direct Repair Program) relationship out here,” Saitta said. “So we’re hoping to become a DRP representative out here.”

The addition shows that the auto industry in town is doing better after tough times during the latest economic downturn of the past several years, but it’s still slowly ascending compared to the national rate.

“A very gradual improvement,” Saitta said of the auto dealership business climate in Pahrump. “Our peers in Las Vegas and all over the country have seen more improvement than we have in the community. But, we have seen some improvement.”

The body shop will be in the building that was formerly the Kawasaki dealership near the Home Depot on Highway 160, and will feature state-of-the-art equipment ensuring customers they will have top-notch work done on their vehicles.

Taking over the building and refurbishing it also has given the community an added benefit, one less eyesore, as the public has shown gratitude toward the dealership for cleaning up the spot.

“There’s people actually asking us if we built that building,” Saitta said. “People are saying, ‘man I can’t believe how much nicer that looks.’”

The positions are all full-time and offer competitive pay, medical, dental and disability insurance, in addition to paid vacations.

Saitta said that he’s received a healthy amount of applications already, but urged anyone interested in the positions to apply.

Interested applicants are asked to arrange an interview or drop off a resume at Saitta Trudeau, located at 1541 E. Wahkiakum Ave. or by calling the dealership at 775-910-9080.

All applicants must be able to pass a drug test and have a verifiable work history and references.