Marks Motor Co. Inc. will be moving "" across Marine Corps Drive to a multi-million dollar new facility that will be built on the site of the former Continental Micronesia offices one-time home of the Ben Franklin craft store.

The new complex will break ground in a matter of months.

Both properties are owned by MVP Enterprises Inc.

John Pangilinan general manager of Ace Hardware "" sister company to Marks Motor Co. "" spoke for MVP Enterprises as Mark V. Pangilinan Sr. "" his father "" was off-island in the Philippines when the Journal went to press.

He confirmed to the Journal that plans for the new Mark’s Motors complex are well underway.

"The future plans would be using the three-story Ben Franklin building where Continental used to be and there will be a build-out from there."

The upgrade to Honda facilities on Guam was a large part of recent discussions held between Honda and Mark Sr.

John Pangilinan credited his father for taking the lead in MVP discussions with the U.S. division of Honda parent company to Honda and Acura lines.

"The plan was done in conjunction with Mr. Pangilinan and American Honda. Mr. Pangelinan consulted with American Honda."

Plans are already drawn up for the complex Pangilinan said. "Not only the concept but actual blueprints. American Honda brought their people here to lay it out. My father has the blueprints and the rendition."

The new facility will also house parts and service for the Mark’s Motors lines. "They will also consolidate the service which should be alongside. Those are the future plans right now." The dealership’s facilities are presently housed in a variety of buildings on the Tamuning property.

In addition the new dealership will offer further significant employment opportunities John Pangilinan said. "There will be more technical jobs " he said. Honda takes pride in its technical expertise Pangilinan said.

The new complex will additionally offer consumers Ridgeline trucks and "a full line of Acura motor vehicles " John Pangilinan said.

A groundbreaking has already been planned. "It will be before the end of this year."

Pangilinan also confirmed that Mark’s Motors would be soon receiving 2007 models. That news will reassure loyal and would-be customers of the dealership that are interested in new cars. The company has not had deliveries of vehicles since November.

Potential clients who enquired in late March were told to "be patient " and that the company will receive new models in May or June.

The company had one new sedan for sale as at March 30 "" a 2005 Honda Pilot.

Marks Motors has to date received some Honda lines from Japan and some from the U.S.

Other vehicles on the lot are used cars and collectors’ items "" belonging to Mark V. Pangilinan Sr. president of MVP Enterprises Inc.; parent company to Marks Motors.

Marks Motors management team is comprised of Mark V. Pangilinan Jr. general manager; Jon Nathan Denight operations manager for sales parts and service; John McDonald car sales manager; Joel Martin office manager; Joseph Parducho finance and insurance manager; and Esther Tadeo accountant.

The sales force has temporarily been reduced from eight to a team of three although sales personnel have been transferred to other group divisions according to Journal sources.

Mark’s Motors (originally Mark’s Ramblers) opened in 1969. MVP Enterprises was founded in 1948. Other companies in the group include Ace Hardware Ben Franklin craft store Mark’s Insurance and Mark’s Sporting Goods. MBJ