David Zapata admits in the past he generally embraced the imagery of used car dealerships being “a world filled with corruption,” however filled himself with the desire to establish a far more credible business in that industry he has discovered that the stereotype is certainly “not always the case.” Now, he’s doing his part to turn that image around having launched his own used car dealership in Berrien Springs.
Zapata is the sole owner of the new CarsMart, a used car dealership focusing on safe, reliable, and affordable vehicles for customers across Michigan’s Great Southwest.
He hopes his motto, “Dealing with Integrity,” will help tell the story of his new venture which is located at 6787 M-139 in Berrien Springs, a building he purchased this spring to house his new operations.
Zapata is an ASE certified technician who worked at Autobahn Imports in St. Joseph for more than four years before electing to establish his new adventure, which he tells me, “Will have a variety of vehicles for sale, however our long-term goal is to focus on German and Asian imports.
David is also currently working on a service facility that will offer automobile maintenance and minor auto repairs to the public for most makes and models of cars, SUVs and small trucks. That facility will take him a couple of months to prepare, but in the meantime he is offering full auto detailing. That detailing includes a deep cleaning of the engine bay, wheels and tires, door jambs, paint, windows, trunk, dashboard and carpets. He adds that carpets, seats and door panels will get steam-cleaned, and if stains are present, carpets and cloth seats will get shampooed as well. Leather seats get re-hydrated, while exterior paints get a protective layer of wax.
Armed with his motto of “Dealing with Integrity,” Zapata pledges that “we will not stray from that,” adding, “With honesty, integrity, and good ethics, our car dealership will provide services to help our community and not take advantage of it.”
David says he is working with third-party providers to offer financing for those with poor credit or no credit at all. Additionally, he intends to provide in-house financing on some vehicles.
You’ll find CarsMart on M-139 north of Berrien Springs, across from Mel’s Cafe & Deli, and can reach the dealership by phone at 269-815-8117.
The lot is open Monday through Thursday from 10am until 6pm, Fridays from 10am until 3pm and closed on Saturdays. Sunday hours are available by appointment only. David’s recent inventory was nearly two dozen vehicles to choose from, but half had been sold by press time.
Learn more and see the current inventory online by clicking the link below:
