TMCnet News
Volkswagen dealership planned for Wesley Chapel [Tampa Tribune, Fla. :: ](Tampa Tribune (FL) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Feb. 27--WESLEY CHAPEL -- Just months after opening Wesley Chapel's first Chevrolet dealership, Pasco auto magnate Scott Fink has confirmed plans to build a new Volkswagen dealership in the area. Fink said he's under contract to buy 8 acres on State Road 56 -- directly across from the Mini dealership. He plans to build a 10,500-square-foot showroom and sales center and a separate 12,000-square-foot service center, according to preliminary plans submitted to the county. "We're very excited," Fink said. "Wesley Chapel is perfect for Volkswagen. The demographics are younger, high-income and dual-income families -- they really like German import cars." Fink owns the nation's second-largest Hyundai dealership in New Port Richey, but it was his growing portfolio in Wesley Chapel that helped him land the competitive rights for Volkswagen. The new dealership will create about 25 new jobs, including service technicians who will be trained to repair even the most vintage Beetles. Each year the Pasco County Fairgrounds hosts Bug Jam, the largest gathering of Beetle enthusiasts and collectors outside of Germany. "We see that as a great opportunity to service those customers and as a marketing promotion," Fink said. "They definitely have a lot of enthusiasm for the brand." Fink said he's scheduled to meet next week with architects from Volkswagen corporate to discuss design specifications for the showroom. He also shared that he just won county approval for the plans for his new, 22,000-square-foot Chevrolet building on Wesley Chapel Boulevard. Fink said he bought the four-acre parcel, which is adjacent to his Mazda dealership, in 2007. "Chevy -- for years and years -- was trying to get into the Wesley Chapel market," he said. Fink bought the franchise from Sparkman Chevrolet and relocated it from Zephyrhills. He said several employees made the move, and they've been working in a temporary sales office and sharing service space with Mazda since November. When the new building opens he'll be able to double the staffing from about 12 now to 25. Fink said his total investment will be about $5 million. The dealership carries everything from Silverados to Sparks -- but one thing he doesn't have in inventory is a Corvette Stingray. "The supply just can't meet the demand," he said. "We got four in and they sold within an hour." [email protected] (813) 371-1852 Twitter @LKinslerTBO ___ (c)2014 the Tampa Tribune (Tampa, Fla.) Visit the Tampa Tribune (Tampa, Fla.) at www.tampatrib.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |