Many towns in Brazil have large stray dog populations (and many have organizations that help them find homes). Some neighborhoods will take care of a few local dogs that hang around regularly.
Since street dogs often move in packs, they’re less likely to make a whole lot of human friends. But occasionally a pup will just decide it really likes a place – or its people – and come say “hi” each day. And that’s when the magic happens.
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Earlier this year, a stray decided it liked the bright lights and shiny floor models of the local Hyundai car dealership.
His frequent visits delighted the employees, who grew pretty attached.
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On a rainy night in May, showroom manager Emerson Mariano decided he was going to take the friendly pup home with him.
He gave him a bath, a good meal, and a name – Tucson Prime. (The Tucson is a popular Hyundai hybrid model currently on the market.)
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Tucson Prime now had a home.
In fact, the employees at the dealership decided to go above and beyond – they gave the dog a job!
Of course, someone might eventually have to talk to HR about this, but overall he’s been an asset to morale and improved the mood on the sales floor.
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People imagined Tucson Prime’s job would be temporary at first, and he was simply greeting customers.
But those customers kept coming back – in fact, even the ones who bought cars returned to say hello and bring him treats!
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His customer service skills were unparalleled, so it’s no surprise that he moved through the ranks pretty quickly.
It wasn’t long before he was trusted to help stage the showroom floor.
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But it wasn’t until the middle of July that social media became part of the pup’s job description.
He even got his own Instagram account that now has over 100,000 followers!
In just a few weeks, Tucson Prime got his own custom office at the dealership as well. We just hope his colleagues weren’t too jealous. Watching some slick young employee blow past you in the ranks can be a little defeating.
But it helps when you’re a dog, so morale appears to be high, as evidenced by this photo of Tucson Prime’s fellow employees helping to put together his office and give him a little office-warming party.
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Mariano told Top Motors Brazil that feedback about Tucson Prime’s work had been very positive and that the workers around him noticed the fast-paced and sometimes-competitive workplace improving for the better.
Of course, everything’s better with a dog! And Tucson Prime knows how to work hard AND play hard.
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The pup has pretty much done every job there is to do at the dealership, seeming to excel at all of them.
What do you think, mascot or model?
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Even if you’ve never wanted a Hyundai before, doesn’t it make you want to take a closer look at the Tucson Prime?
If so, then this dog has done his job!
But if you’re really interested, he can run some numbers and see if he can get you into the 2021 model today.
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He might have to talk to his manager, but he’s pretty confident he can make it work for your finances.
Just give him a chance.
It wouldn’t be his first sale.
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And like any successful car salesman, nothing makes him happier than handing over the keys to a brand new car owner.
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Mariano said that the feedback from corporate with regard to Tucson Prime and his role at the dealership has been positive as well.
“After all, the company has always been pet friendly, so now, we decided to embrace this idea in practice too, having our own pet precisely at a more complicated time like this with so many abandoned animals,” he said.
Rumor has it that Tucson Prime might even be featured in a national ad campaign for the Hyundai model he’s named after.
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We’re totally buying what he’s selling.
Now be sure to get on Instagram and look at his adorable page for yourself, even if you’re not in the market for a new set of wheels.
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