Karma Automotive President Marques McCammon welcomed guests to the opening March 7 of the Jacksonville dealership owned by Vladamir “Val” Ranguelov and his wife, Nadia Ranguelov, at 11619 Beach Blvd.
The Ranguelovs and McCammon also introduced the exotic Gyesera, first all-electric sedan by Irvine, California-based Karma Automotive.
Karma unveiled the model March 2 at the Amelia Island Concours.
Karma Jacksonville, at northeast Beach Boulevard and Interstate 295, is the Ranguelovs’ second dealership. The first is in Albany, New York.
“He is one of our best dealers, if not our best dealer,” McCammon said.
“One of the things that we really like about him, it goes beyond just the location, is that he takes a very personal focus on all of his customers. They know him, they love him, he pays attention to the details of their life and nuances of things that matter to them and that don’t.”
The Karma website says North America is the electric vehicle maker’s biggest market, with 22 of its total 32 dealerships.
McCammon continued about Ranguelov.
“For him, Karma was a dream. And then he loves the brand. So he offers lots of feedback. So when he came here and said he wanted to invest and build out a flagship with our brand, it was automatic. Yes. Whatever you need, we will be here to support you.”
The showroom also features the Kaveya super coupe GT, which Karma debuted in November at the Wynn Concours in Las Vegas, and the Revero, the return of Karma’s signature range-extended hybrid electric touring sedan.
Rangeulov said in February he had pre-orders for the $300,000 Kaveya and the $120,000 to $150,000 Revero. Car and Driver reports Gyesera prices are expected between $175,000 and $225,000
Jacksonville-based Ladson Construction Co. renovated the 17,000-square-foot dealership, which had been a furniture showroom.
Karma says the Ranguelovs are an immigrant success story.
It says Val Ranguelov came to U.S. from Bulgaria 26 years ago “with a duffel bag and $1.25 in his pocket.”
“They originally opened a small auto body store in Albany, it transitioned to a higher-end vehicle dealership and then, Val says, ‘Karma took a chance on me. I opened Karma Albany and it paid off for both of us.’”
“It’s a remarkable story of hard work, business smarts and living the American dream,” McCammon said in a news release.
Val Ranguelov’s mother also attended.
Krassi Rangelova, a linguist at the University of Albany, said she visits a lot.
“Remembering where he and his wife started and where they are today is stunning,” she said.
“Hard work, dedication, commitment, and most of all, passion, passion for what they do.”
Ranguelov, president of Bul Auto Sales FL, said the Karma Jacksonville project investment is $6 million.
Bul Auto Sales also owns the Karma Albany dealership in New York.
