SAINT-EUSTACHE, Quebec -

HGrégoire has announced the opening of yet another franchise to serve the Lower Saint Lawrence area.

HGrégoire Canada's Car Superstore of Rimouski — which opened Monday — has set up shop at 140, Montée Industrielle et Commerciale in Rimouski, the company said, and represents an investment of more than $2 million and the creation of nearly 20 new jobs.

The Rimouski opening comes quickly on the heels of the company’s launch of another new franchise, located in New Richmond, in Gaspésie.

The main partners of this new store are Rimouski businessmen Ghislain Desjardins and Jean Guy Desjardins, who own Auto Express. The sons of Ghislain Desjardins are also members of the new firm’s management team.

With 80,000 square feet and more than 125 vehicles of all makes and models on display, the new store is positioned as the largest showroom of the Lower Saint Lawrence, the company said. In addition to its large inventory of used vehicles, the Rimouski store will also provide access to the full inventory of the www.hgreg.com site, consisting of more than 2,000 vehicles.

“We hope to consolidate our visibility in the region to reach out to our customers, and this new franchise is one more step in that direction,” said Pedro Lopez, senior manager of franchise operations and development at HGrégoire. “Our unique business model enables us to stand apart in a highly competitive environment, and we are proud to be able to count on an experienced team like that of Mr. Desjardins for this new venture in Rimouski.”

Ghislain Desjardins said, “The HGrégoire brand is synonymous with choice and quality and enjoys a high degree of credibility with consumers; that is why we are delighted to partner with this company. Our inventory will be the most extensive in the region by far, and we are proud to be able to give the population of the Lower Saint Lawrence direct access to it.”

Founded in 2003, HGrégoire reports it has invested nearly $75 million to date and has generated more than 500 direct and indirect jobs. With the addition of the Rimouski outlet, the company now has 11 car superstores, in Canada and in the U.S. at Miami.