Article - Renier Construction

COLUMBUS
Muirfield Dr.
33
745
D U B L I N
THE CENTRAL OHIO BUSINESS AUTHORITY
161
Crown
MercedesBenz
33
161
Avery Rd.
Crown
MercedesBenz
Avery Rd.
Crown Chrysler
Dodge Jeep
AUGUST 10, 2012
Sawmill
Rd.
Muirfield Dr.
D UDr. B
Perimeter
Crown Chrysler
Crown
Emerald
Jeep
Kia Dodge
Pkwy.
Perimeter Dr.
Crown
Kia Emerald
Pkwy.
L
I
N
270
161 33745
Crown
Fiat
33
Sawmill
Rd.
161 33
270
Crown
Fiat
33
Crown adding jewel with Fiat franchise
DUBLIN IS GETTING the Italian automaker’s second
Central Ohio dealership as the company looks to build on a
solid first year since its re-entry into the U.S. market.
BY DAN EATON | BUSINESS FIRST
A
fter a two-year wait, Crown Dealership Group has a home for its
Fiat showroom.
The auto retailer was among
the first awarded a Fiat badge for
the European brand’s return to the U.S. in
2011, but it wasn’t until last week when
work revved up on a showroom of its own.
Fiat’s new pitch to American buyers
has gone well, with sales of the Fiat
500 up in 2012 over its debut year.
Courtesy Fiat
Construction on Crown Fiat is now under
way at 5105 Post Road in Dublin, with a
Dec. 1 opening targeted.
“I found this spot two years ago and it
seemed perfect,” Crown President Marc
Wigler said.
Crown has roots deepening in Dublin. Its
Crown Mercedes-Benz dealership opened
on Perimeter Loop Road in 1991. The
Chrysler and Jeep lines were added in 1993.
Kia joined in 2001 and Dodge moved to the
Dublin site in 2009. In all, Crown holds 36
franchises and dealerships in three states.
Crown Fiat will be its second dealership for
the Italian car line, joining one in Chattanooga, Tenn.
DRIVING EXPECTATIONS
Crown Fiat also will become the second
dealership in Central Ohio selling the subcompacts. Bob-Boyd Fiat opened last year
at 5665 Scarborough Blvd., Columbus.
The wait may have been helpful. Fiat
arrived in the U.S. in March 2011 but its
dealership network was slow to develop,
cars were in short supply and national
d.
n
Crown Fiat in dublin
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former
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car
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if
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include
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cusTrueCar.com
analyst
Kristen
Ananalyst Kristen An- car badge, if it is imported to the include tech kiosks that allow cusU.S.
tomers
to design
theirtheir
own car.
dersson.
dersson.
tomers
to design
own car.
U.S.
“We’re
hoping
to
get
Alfa,
”
Wigler
“The
car
is
fun,
”
Wigler
said. “We
The
auto
line
has
gained
traction
The auto line has gained traction
“The car is fun,” Wigler
said. “We
“We’re hoping to get Alfa,” Wigler
will
bebe
a good
to show
that.”that.”
thisyear,
year,however.
however. Sales
Sales for
for the
this
the said.
want
to show
said.“We
“Wethink
thinkthis
this
will
a goodwant
””
Andersson
said said
Fiat Fiat
appeals
to
firstseven
sevenmonths
monthsof
of 2012
2012 rose
rose to
first
to market
Andersson
appeals
to
marketfor
forthat.
that.
women buyers and may be able to
24,416 cars, topping the 19,769 Fi24,416
cars,
topping
the
19,769
Fiwomen
buyers
and
may
be
able
to
small
car,
biG
store
draw
Volkswagen
Beetle
shoppers
ats Page
sold 3last year. Sales soared 22
small
car,
biGcarstore
From
will
have
enough
floor
space
tomany
disThe
dealership
also
hopes
to
ats
sold last
year.
Sales
soared
22 Alfa
draw
Volkswagen
Beetle
shoppers
marketing
didn’t
start
until August,
said
Romeo,
Fiat’s
sports
badge,
if itbe
isturned
have
enough
floor
space
to display
as
The
Post
Road
building
was
off
by
the
car’s
redesign.
percent
in
July
to
3,710
from
3,038
ing
didn’t
start
until
August,
said
play
as
many
as
10
Fiats,
and
will
in
line
for
Alfa
Romeo,
Fiat’s
sports
percent
in
July
to
3,710
from
3,038
The
Post
Road
building
was
turned
off
by
the
car’s
redesign.
TrueCar.com
analyst Kristen Andersson.
imported
the U.S.
as 10 Fiats,
and will include
filled
by to
Roby
Mitsubishi but has
The
building
will tech
get kiosks
a that
a year earlier.
TrueCar.com
analyst
Kristen
Aninclude
tech
kiosks
that
allow
cuscar
badge,
if
it
is
imported
to
the
a The
year
earlier.
filled
byhoping
Roby
but said.
has2,000-square-foot
The
building
getcar. a
auto
line has making
gained traction
this been
“We’re
get Alfa,
” Wigler
allow
customers
toaddition
designwill
their
vacant
fortoMitsubishi
nearly
five
years.
forown
an
“It’s
certainly
waves this
dersson.
tomers
tois design
their
own
car.
U.S.
year,
Sales
for
first buyer
seven
“We
this will
forenclosed
“The car
fun,”drive
Wigler
said.
“We
wantan
to
“It’showever.
making
waves
this In
been
vacant
for
nearly
years.
2,000-square-foot
addition
for
itsthink
previous
lifebe
ita good
wasfive
amarket
Chiservice
and
have
year,
”certainly
Andersson
said.the“The
The
auto
gained
“The
car
is fun,
” Wigler
said.
“We
hopingThe
to site
get
Alfa,
” Wigler
months
of 2012
rosehas
tosaid.
24,416
cars,
topping
that.
”its
show
that.
” service
year,
” Andersson
“The
buyer Chi’s
In “We’re
previous
life
it sits
wasacross
a Chi-a six-bay
enclosed
drive
restaurant.
service
center
that and
will have
interest
is line
definitely
there.
” traction
this19,769
year,
however.
SalesSales
the the
show
”center
said.street
“WeSMALL
think
this
beAuto
aacross
goodhandle
the
sold lastthere.
year.
CAR,
BIGwill
STORE
Andersson
saidthat.
Fiat
appeals
to women
interest
isFiats
definitely
” forsoared
Chi’s
restaurant.
The
site
sits
awant
six-bay
service
that
will
from
Midwestern
oiltochanges.
More
involved
Faith
in
the
business
first
seven
months
of
2012
rose
to
Andersson
said
Fiat
appeals
to
market
for
that.
”
22 percent in July to 3,710 from
The
Post
RoadBMW
building
wasrepairs
buyers
and
be at
ableCrown’s
to
draw
VolkswaGroup
LLC’s
and
will
bemay
made
Pethe street
from
Midwestern
Auto
handle
oil
changes.
More
involved
Faith
in
the
business
24,416
cars,
topping
the
19,769
Fiwomen
buyers
and
may
be
able
to
3,038Fiat
a yearcounted
earlier. about 150
filled
by Roby
Mitsubishi
butrimeter
gen
Beetle
shoppers
turned
by the car’s
Mini
dealership.
Loop
complex.
Group
LLC’s
BMW and
repairs
will
be made
at off
Crown’s
Pesmall
car,
biG store
“It’s
certainly
waves
this
hasMini
been
vacant
for for
nearly
redesign.
ats
sold
lastmaking
year.
soared 22
draw
Volkswagen
Beetlea secshoppers
U.S.
dealers
asabout
ofSales
March
“Buyers
looking
that five The
building
alsocomplex.
is getting
dealership.
rimeter
Loop
Fiat
counted
150
and
is inprojected
to
have
small,
European
model
story
for
and
service
baya secyear,
” Andersson
said.
“The
buyer
InRoad
its
previous
life
it was
The
get
ais2,000-square-foot
percent
July
toof3,710
from 3,038
The years.
Post
building
wasaondturned
offparts
bywill
the
car’s
redesign.
“Buyers
looking
for
that
Thebuilding
building
also
getting
U.S.
dealers
as
March
200isby
2013. there.
are
already
comingThe
here,
interest
is
definitely
restaurant.
site”has
sitsspace.
addition
forbuilding
an enclosed
service
drive
and
a year
earlier.
filled byChi-Chi’s
Roby
Mitsubishi
but
The
will
get bay
a
small,
European
model
ond
story
for
parts and
service
and
projected
to” have
Sales
also
should
rise
Wigler
said,
although
“Right
now,
if
you
put
in
a
lift
with
FAITH
IN
THE
BUSINESS
across
the
street
from
Midwesthave
a
six-bay
service
center
that
will
handle
“It’s
certainly
making
waves
this
been
vacant
for
nearly
five
years.
2,000-square-foot
addition
for
an
are already coming here,” space.
200 by 2013.
with
an expansion
of
he Auto
noted
theitLLC’s
BMW-Mini
carchanges.
on it, it’More
d punch
Fiat
about
150Fiat’s
U.S. buyer In its previous
ern
Group
BMW
andtheoil
be
year,
” counted
Andersson
said.
“The
life
was
a Chienclosed
service
drive
have
Wigler
said,
although
“Right
now,
if involved
youthrough
putrepairs
inand
athe
liftwill
with
Sales
also
should
rise
car
lineup.
Dealerships
showroom
is
scheduled
ceiling,
”
Heifner
said.
dealers
as
of
March
and
is
proMini
dealership.
made
at
Crown’s
Perimeter
Loop
complex.
interest
is
definitely
there.
”
Chi’s
restaurant.
The
site
sits
across
a
six-bay
service
center
that
will
herelocate
noted to
theMAG’s
BMW-Mini Renier
the car
on it, it’din
punch
through the
with
expansion
of Fiat’s
nowansell
flagship
to“Buyers
specializes
auto
dealerjected
havethe
200 by
2013. Fiat
for thatPesmall, handle
The building
also is getting
a second
stothe street
from looking
Midwestern
Auto
oil
changes.
More
involved
showroom
is
scheduled
ceiling,
”
Heifner
said.
car500,tolineup.
Dealerships
the should
500c
convertible
rimeter model
Loopare complex
shipryconstruction.
The Fiat
project
in the
Sales Faith
also
risebusiness
with an
European
already comfor parts
andbe
service
bay
space.
Group
LLC’s
BMW
and
repairs
will
made
at
Crown’s
Peto relocate
to MAG’s PeRenier
specializes
auto dealernow
flagship
Fiat B. Heifner: Renier next
andsell
the the
sporty
year.
sixth handled
by put
thein
contracexpansion
of
Fiat’s500
carAbarth.
lineup.
ingMini
here,
”dealership.
Wigler said, although heis the
“Right
now,
if complex.
you
in
a lift with the
rimeter
Loop
Fiat
counted
about
150
rimeter
Loop
complex
ship
construction.
The
Fiat
project”
500,
the
500c
convertible
An electric
carsell
and
aflagship
larger Construction Corp. noted
Crown
is spending
torcar
for on
Crown
since
2002,
including
Dealerships
now
the
the
BMW-Mini
showroom
it,
it’
d
punch
through
the ceiling,
“Buyers
looking
for
that
The
building
also
is
getting
U.S.
dealers
as
of
March
next
year.
is
the
sixth
handled
by
the
contracand
the
sporty
500
Abarth.
B.
Heifner:
Renier
five-door
are in
thanto$1
million
in construction
of Crown Chryslera secFiat
500,
theFiat
500c500
convertible
ismore
scheduled
relocate
tomodel
MAG’s
Heifner
said.for
small,
European
ond
story
parts
service
bay
and
is
projected
to
have
Crown
is
spending
tor
for
Crown
since
2002,
including
An
electric
car
and
a
larger
Construction
Corp.
extensive
remodeling
of the Dodge
Jeep in
2002
andinand
the
makeandthe
theworks.
sporty 500 Abarth. An electric car an
Perimeter
Loop complex
next year.
Renier
specializes
auto
dealership
are
already
coming
here,
”
space.
200
by
2013.
hopes
sell500
25are
Fiats
a 10,000-square-foot
building
and$1itsmilof the Crown
Mercedes
dealthan
$1 than
million
inover
construction
five-door
500toFiat
are
in
and
aWigler
larger Fiat
five-door
in the
Crown ismore
spending
more
construction.
The of
FiatCrown
isChrysler
the sixth
Wigler
said,
although
“Right
now,
if2002
youproject
put
inthe
a lift
with
Sales
also
should
rise
month,
although
the
automaker’s
2.5-acre
grounds.
There
isn’t
much
ership
at
6500
Perimeter
Loop
inmakean
extensive
remodeling
of
the
Dodge
Jeep
in
and
the
works.
works.
lion in an extensive remodeling of the handled by the contractor for Crown
since
he
noted
the
BMW-Mini
the
car
on
it,
it’
d
punch
through
the
with
an
expansion
of
Fiat’s
expectations
are
changing
and
it
that
will
remain
untouched.
2010.
10,000-square-foot
building
its 2002,
over of
the Crown
Mercedes
dealWiglerhopes
hopes
to 25
sellFiats
25 aFiats
a 10,000-square-foot
Wigler
to sell
month,
building
and and
its 2.5including
construction
of Crown
does
not
have
updated
projections.
Bill
Heifner,
president
of
Renier
Heifner
said
it
is
the
first
Fiat
showroom
is
scheduled
ceiling,
”
Heifner
said.
car
lineup.
Dealerships
2.5-acre
grounds.
There
isn’tthat
much
ership Dodge
at 6500
in
month, the
although
theexpectations
automaker’s
although
automaker’s
are acre
grounds.
There isn’t
much
will Chrysler
JeepPerimeter
in 2002 and Loop
the makeWigler
expects
tochanging
sell about
500
FiConstruction
Corp.
in to
Columbus,
dealership
forspecializes
Renier.
to
relocate
MAG’s
PeRenier
in
auto
dealernow
sell
the
flagship
Fiat
that
will
remain
untouched.
2010.
expectations
are
and
it
changing and it does not have updated pro- remain untouched.
over of the Crown Mercedes dealership at
ats not
a year
by 2014.
saidBill
only
part
ofpresident
the Loop
roof, exterior
Architectural
Alliance
Ltd.
from
rimeter
ship
construction.
The
Fiat
project
500,
the
500c
convertible
Heifner,
ofcomplex
Renier
Heifner
said
the
first
Fiat
does
have
updated
jections.
Wigler
expects
to projections.
sell about 500
Bill Heifner,
president
of Renier
Con- 6500
Perimeter
Loopitinis
2010.
“We
have
faith
in
(Chrysler
CEO
walls
and
one
interior
office
are
Columbus
designed
the
space.
next
year.
is
the
sixth
handled
by
the
contracand
the
sporty
500
Abarth.
B.
Heifner:
Renier
Construction
Corp.
in
Columbus,
dealership
for
Renier.
Wigler
expects
to
sell
about
500
FiFiats a year by 2014.
struction Corp. in Columbus, said only
Heifner said it is the first Fiat dealership
Sergio
Marchionne),
he said. Construction
“Fiat staying.
Crown
isroof,
spending
torArchitectural
for Crown since
2002, Ltd.
including
An
electric
car
and
a ”larger
Corp.
said
only
part
of
the
exterior
Alliance
from
ats
a
year
by
2014.
“We
have
faith
in
(Chrysler
CEO
Sergio
part
of
the
roof,
exterior
walls
and
one
intefor
Renier.
is his baby.
” 500 are in
The 6,300-square-foot
showroom
614-220-5462
| [email protected]
more
than
$1
million
in
construction
of
Crown
Chrysler
five-door
Fiat
walls
and
one interior office are Columbus
designed
the from
space.
“We have” he
faith
(Chrysler
CEO
Marchionne),
said.in
“Fiat
is his baby.
”
rior
office
are staying.
Architectural
Alliance Ltd.
ColumanTheextensive
remodeling
of the
Dodge
Jeeptheinspace.
2002 and the makethe
Theworks.
dealership
also hopes
be in line
for staying.
6,300-square-foot
showroom
will bus
designed
Sergio
Marchionne),
” heto said.
“Fiat
building
and its over
of the Crown
Mercedes dealWigler
to sell 25 Fiats a 10,000-square-foot
The 6,300-square-foot
showroom
614-220-5462
| [email protected]
is his
baby.hopes
”
month, although the automaker’s 2.5-acre grounds. There isn’t much ership at 6500 Perimeter Loop in
2010.
expectations are changing and it that will remain untouched.
Bill Heifner, president of Renier
Heifner said it is the first Fiat
does not have updated projections.
Wigler expects to sell about 500 Fi- Construction Corp. in Columbus, dealership for Renier.
said only part of the roof, exterior
Architectural Alliance Ltd. from
ats a year by 2014.
“We have faith in (Chrysler CEO walls and one interior office are Columbus designed the space.
RendeRing couRtesy ARchitectuRAl AlliAnce
Sergio Marchionne),” he said. “Fiat staying.
Fiat”will have 6,300 square feet of space where
can sit in various
models and use614-220-5462
kiosks to design
their own.
The customers
6,300-square-foot
showroom
| [email protected]
is Crown
his baby.
Fiat: Little cars drawing female drivers’ favor
RendeRing couRtesy ARchitectuRAl AlliAnce
Crown Fiat will have 6,300 square feet of space where customers can sit in various models and use kiosks to design their own.
Reprinted for web use with permission
from Columbus
Business Tip:
First. ©2012, all rights reserved. Reprinted by Scoop ReprintSource 1-800-767-3263.
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