We like what we like.
When it comes to our automobiles, we like our space, we like traction, and we like what makes sense, too, and that’s one of several reasons why Nicholas Eikey digs his new gig with Straub Honda at The Highlands.
Eikey has been with Straub Automotive for more than a decade – the last seven spent at Elm Grove Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep – but in October he was promoted to sales manager at Straub Honda.
“A number of moves were made that brought me to Straub Honda as the sales manager, so now I am looking over everything sales related plus I’m still selling cars,” Eikey explained. “There’s a lot more to this business than people walking into our showroom to tell us they’re shopping for a new car, truck, or van, so now I’m working strictly with our Honda products.
“I’ll be celebrating 13 years in this business with a strong organization and with the Fato family and I’ve been here at The Highlands, in Elm Grove, and in Glen Dale, too. I’ve been in the sales and the finance departments during that time,” he said. “When I moved to Elm Grove, it was because the company acquired the business and I thought initially I would be there for about 30 days. Well those 30 days turned into seven years, but now I’m back at The Highlands and looking forward to every day.”
His sales career didn’t start with new and used cars and trucks, though. Following his studies at West Liberty University, he accepted a position with a local cellular provider, but soon a friend convinced him to follow him to the Straub Group.
“I had never been a car guy, but he suggested I try it out to see if I liked it. He said he loved it, and everyone was great, so, that’s what I did and it’s turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” Eikey said. “I’m definitely a car guy now.
“I remember thinking, ‘Sales is sales,’ and ‘Know your product and sell your product.’ So, I took a leap,” he said. “And, well, the rest is history.”
Helping Here at Home
Four seasons. Rolling hills. Dirt and gravel roads … with the possibility of driving through small creeks and streams.
That’s a solid description of the tri-state region when it comes to shopping for new vehicles in the Upper Ohio Valley, and Eikey is well versed in all the makes and models that make sense in the Wheeling area.
“We really love our SUVs and our trucks here in the valley. We do. And crossovers and SUVs are most popular around there. But the Honda Civic has been around forever and so has the Honda Accord,” Eikey said. “The crossover SUVs have been very popular for several years now because people need and want space, but sometimes not as much as what a truck gives you.
“If you need a truck in this valley, you need a truck and that’s what you buy. Other than that, the SUV and the crossover are most popular across the board,” he said. “People want some space, and those are the models that offer the most right now.”
Eikey was raised in Elm Grove and graduated from Wheeling Central Catholic in 2005. He’s married to his high school sweetheart, and they’re raising their two kids right here in their hometown.
“One of the best parts about my job is that I get to help my friends and the people from this area get into quality cars and trucks,” Eikey explained. “If I didn’t believe in the Honda product, I couldn’t sell it.
“I consider my wife and I very lucky to be able to live here at home close to family and raise our kids here in our hometown because we’ve had friends who moved away for a lot of different reasons,” he added. “And the Fatos are terrific people to work for because they’re here every day just like we are. Like I said, I’m very fortunate.”
