Four new-car franchises moved into a multi-line car store in Grimes
Des Moines mega-dealer Charles Gabus is moving four new-car franchises into a multi-line car store in Grimes. The $7 million, 63,000-square-foot building will include individual showrooms for Kia, Mitsubishi, Saab and Suzuki, along with service and parts departments and used- car sales, said Sean Sellers, general manager of Kia of Des Moines. It is scheduled to open August 2008. Ken Chester, president of Motor News Media Corp.
of Urbandale, an automotive media service, said it’s too early to say whether the new store could be a sign that Grimes will become a new auto hot spot, attracting clusters of dealers. He said moving Kia, Mitsubishi and Saab shouldn’t hurt dealers on Merle Hay Road and Hickman Road in Des Moines because major dealerships “selling strong brand names” remain in the area. Charles Gabus Ford will also remain on Merle Hay Road.
The new dealership along Iowa Highway 141 at Northwest 54th Avenue in Grimes will include: –Kia of Des Moines, currently in a free-standing dealership at 4515 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines. –Des Moines Mitsubishi and Saab of Des Moines, currently at 9060 Hickman Road, Clive. –Des Moines Suzuki, currently part of Des Moines Chrysler Suzuki at 4410 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines. Chrysler will remain at the Merle Hay location.
Sellers said the new Grimes location will provide needed additional space for the growing dealerships. The combined Grimes dealership expands its work force to 110 people, up from the 85 currently employed at the separate locations, he said. The 35-acre site was one of few locations with enough space, proper zoning and good visibility because of a large daily traffic count, Sellers said. “It’s an extremely busy location,” he added.