Jeff Sukay had a couple of things he wanted to accomplish with the Kirby Automotive Group.

The vice president and co-owner of the Group said he has an affinity for the Chrysler Corp. which Sukay dealt with for a number of years as a Jeep dealership in Ventura.

“We always wanted to have all three (Chrysler) brands and we wanted to get into the Simi Valley community,” said Sukay.

As of March 11, Sukay and Kirby accomplished both with the opening of Kirby Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Simi Valley.

Last week members of the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce and city officials welcomed Kirby with a ribbon cutting and celebration at the dealership on First Street.

“We are ecstatic to be in this beautiful town,” Sukay told the gathering. “We are glad to be able to give back to community.”

A longtime fixture in the Ventura Auto Center, Kirby brings its reputation of nearly 50 years of service to the county to Simi Valley.

“The response from the community has been tremendous. Very warm and welcoming,” said Sukay. “The community is very business oriented and the focus is to buy local.”

Sukay also was a co-owner of Ventura Land Rover Jaguar, but he and his partner sold that dealership in November.

“That opened the door for me to do this deal,” said Sukay. “Timing is, of course, everything.”

Sukay is the president and general manager of the new dealership and still spends a few hours a day at Kirby Kia of Ventura. Serving as General Sales Manager of the Simi Valley dealership is Larry Cook.

“Most of the employees are Simi Valley residents,” said Sukay. “As we grow, we expect to hire more people.”

Kirby Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Simi Valley is at 2350 First St. in Simi Valley.

For more information, call 888-442-5017 or visit http://www.simivalleychryslerjeepdodge.net.