NATCHEZ — When Mark Sanguinetti leaves home in Ferriday in the morning, he has to make a decision — turn left or turn right.

Since moving back to the area eight years ago, most of the time that decision was easy. Turn left and head to Winnsboro, where he owns Sango Buick GMC.

But the right turn to head back to his hometown became an option recently with his purchase of a partnership in the former Heritage Chrysler at 201 Seargent S. Prentiss Drive.

“I have been eyeing the Dodge-Chrysler dealership in Natchez for a couple of years,” Sanguinetti said. “I was able in February to buy into a 50-50 partnership with Jeff Wilson — who has Jeff Wilson Chrysler Dodge in Brookhaven — who was partners with the previous owners.”

With the purchase came a rebranding of the dealership, which is now Sango Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, which will continue to offer both new and pre-owned vehicles.

“We were looking to grow the Sango brand, and it has always been my hopes to move back into the Natchez car business,” Sanguinetti said.

Sanguintti got his start in the car business in Natchez, and worked for automotive dealership organizations in south Louisiana — the Ray Brandt organization in New Orleans and Bill Hood Imports in Hammond — for a number of years before he moved back to the area.

After returning to the Miss-Lou, Sanguinetti bought a dealership in Winnsborro in partnership with another company, a partnership he eventually bought out and converted to the Sango Buick GMC.

Sanguinetti said he doesn’t expect to make many changes to the Natchez property, which was built seven years ago, though he has made some changes in operations.

“The facility doesn’t really need anything, it is a phenomenal facility,” he said. “I have restructured some personnel to better serve family customers.”

The most visible change he’s made has been to increase inventory and selection, Sanguinetti said.

“(The Dodge-Chrysler) brand is outstanding,” he said.“The jeeps are red hot right now, it is really hard for me to keep them on the lot.

“I have a lot of orders in the order bank, and as quick as I get them, I sell them. People can see by driving by one day I have eight to 10 (Jeep) Wranglers on the lot, but the next day I have only got two.”

Sanguinetti said he is the president of the Winnsboro Rotary Club, and is interested in continuing that kind of civic involvement in the Miss-Lou.

Sanguinetti said he plans to join both local chambers of commerce and is already sponsoring a Sango softball team in Vidalia.

“Our goal is to get really engaged in Natchez, and that is another reason I am excited about having a dealership in Natchez,” he said.

For more information about Sango Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, visit www.sangododge.com or call 877-304-7831.