Bermuda automotive specialist RayClan Ltd. is branching out with the opening next month of a car dealership that will introduce a new line of Chevrolet cars to the Island.

RayClan already sells second-hand trucks but a recent deal hatched with Chevrolet will see it expand its business to include selling Chevrolet's new line of vehicles designed for Bermuda and the Caribbean.

"This is a new line designed to compete in the small car market after Chevy decided to go after island business," said RayClan sales and marketing manager Henry Adderley.

It is the first time that Chevrolet cars have ever been brought in and sold on the Island. The first shipment of cars ? with a sedan and hatchback model being brought in initially ? is due to arrive on the Island in the next few weeks.

The cars come with a good-for-Bermuda price tag too with the first shipment ? the Aveo model ? hitting the market with a price range of $16,500 to $21,000.

RayClan's new showroom will be housed next to the RayClan body repair shop on Addendum Lane on the same site as RayClan subsidiary, auto parts retailer Rayco.

Additional models ? from the Spark, a small (class A) car to the Vivante station wagon ? will follow in the new year, and range in price from $15,000 and up.

The company will also be shipping in body kits for those who want to customise their vehicles. RayClan president Daniel Greenslade told the decision to bring in the Chevrolet line followed the company having given considerable thought to running a car dealership but it was something they only considered after first establishing a service company with a solid reputation.

Mr. Greenslade is the grandson of well-known car salesman William 'Cheese' Ray, and said he started selling cars for his grandfather at Ray Brothers when he was 17.

"When we first started (in 2000) we were just going to repair cars.

"Then we came to a point that the service side was running well, and it was a natural progression to go into the car dealership," he said.

Mr. Greenslade pointed out that it is not exactly a new business for the family either, with various family members having been involved in his grandfather's car dealership through its 40-year history.

RayClan's management had not made a final decision on branching out as a car dealership when, as luck would have it, Chevrolet representatives came knocking as they looked for a Bermuda dealer.

RayClan jumped at the chance and were interviewed by Chevrolet, and eventually signed as the Bermuda retailer.

Mr. Greenslade said he and the company's general manager, Bill McNiven, also flew down to Aruba to check out the cars ? Chevy's Aveo, Vivante, Spark and Optra models ? that were being made for the Caribbean and Bermuda markets.

"We wanted to see the cars first before we committed to selling them," Mr. Greenslade said.

The Aveo models, due to arrive in coming weeks, come as a G class sedan and a D class hatchback model.

Mr. Greenslade said the $16,500 pricetag for the Aveo Hatchback (standard base model) made it the "least expensive car on the road in its class".

The hatchback model can also be bought as an automatic for a slightly higher price tag ($20,000), while the Aveo sedan ($21,000) is only available with an automatic transmission.

The cars also come in a range of colours, with two-year warranties and all feature air conditioning, CD/radio stereo systems, power steering and front and rear seat belts.

Most models will also be equipped power windows and power locks.

RayClan has also committed to having all parts for the Chevrolet models they sell in stock so that consumers will not be faced with long waits when needing repairs.

A public grand opening of the new Chevrolet showroom is tentatively scheduled for November 7, with vehicles available for test drives to potential walk-in customers.