LATHROP – Steve Ramsey didn’t want anything that was too gaudy or over-the-top.

Seven years ago he opened the doors of USA Motors on a lot where Harlan Road makes its bend off of Louise Avenue. He knew that the location was prime, and that the community that he was opening the new business in was a growing market.

And now, with the final okay already given by the City of Lathrop, Ramsey is in the process of securing construction engineers and local contractors that will help build the new USA Motors sales facility that will be built where the existing mobile building that has served the business well for the better part of a decade.

“It’s something that we’re looking forward to, and it’s something that I think will be good for the community,” Ramsey said. “The people of this town have been good to us and we want to provide something that’s state-of-the-art both for our prospective customers and the people of Lathrop.”

For the last several years the Ramseys – Steve and his wife Rhonda – have become the toast of the town after agreeing annually to donate a car to Relay for Life that is raffled off at a fundraiser that helps raise money and awareness for Lathrop’s signature American Cancer Society event.

The cause is very near-and-dear to his heart. Over the last several years his family has seen cancer up close and personal and the experience prompted USA Motors to step forward and help when they were presented with the opportunity.

It wasn’t so much that it was a social responsibility, but just one family helping out others because they had the opportunity and the means.

And that’s exactly the way that he looks at running his business.

“Being able to employ people and be a part of a community like this is a humbling thing,” said Ramsey – who grew up in Manteca and attended East Union High School. “Having the opportunity to give back is something that we’re fortunate enough to have, and it allows us show our employees and the people of Lathrop that we care.”

While the timetable isn’t quite hammered out just yet, Ramsey anticipates that work on the new building – which will provide top-notch digs for his sales staff – could begin within the next several months. Everything should be wrapped up, he said, by the end of summer.

The footprint of the building will be just a touch under 2,000 square-feet, and will feature an array of modern building materials and glass in a design that’ll reshape the way that people look at used car dealerships.

What will people be able to expect once the finishing touches are put on the building?

“I always wanted USA Motors to be the kind of place where somebody could come down and buy a $3,000 or $4,000 car or a $50,000 car and have both people enjoy the same experience,” Ramsey said. “This new building will provide that atmosphere, and I’m really happy about that.”

USA Motors is located at 16201 Harlan Road. For more information, visit www.usamotors.com or call (209) 983-8888.