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Freeway Lincoln Mercury Building Gets New Owner
- Toyota of San Bernardino president Cliff Cummings; Fred Shorett, Fourth Ward San Bernardino City Councilmember and Rikki Van Johnson, Sixth Ward San Bernardino City Councilmember inspecting the Freeway Lincoln Mercury dealership site in its current condition. Photo by Chris Sloan
- View of the customer’s entrance to Freeway Lincoln Mercury’s main building, which housed the sales and service offices. Photo by Chris Sloan
- Service bays previously operated by Free Lincoln Mercury. Photo by Chris Sloan
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Activity continues at the San Bernardino Auto Center, as Toyota of San Bernardino’s president Cliff Cummings has just acquired the building that once housed the former Freeway-Lincoln Mercury car dealership, located at 1600 Camino Real.
Facing Interstate 215 at the entrance to the city, the former dealership consists of three buildings, which sit on a 3.31acre parcel of land and employed approximately 45 people before ceasing its operations in the summer of 2008. In a current state of disrepair, the acquisition is yet another sign of the revitalization underway at the San Bernardino Auto Center.
“The location is in pretty bad shape and will take some time before we can actually make it functional,” said Cummings. “If you want to attract buyers, image is key and we want to do all we can to increase the visibility and awareness of the auto center.”
Stripped of everything imaginable, amid a sea of broken glass, restoration to the dealership will begin immediately. Cummings predicts the dealership will be operational by January 2011, utilizing the space for vehicle storage, display or perhaps another franchise, highlighting it as an entryway into the city.
With an increase of 17 percent in its workforce over last year, Toyota of San Bernardino is set to add even more members to its staff, due to the anticipated number of employees needed to make the location functional once again.
Cummings says that the signs of the economy rebounding from the recession are everywhere, and sees the auto center providing the Inland Empire as a source for a variety of well paying jobs, such as mechanics, landscapers, security, sales executives and other administration professionals.
“Our plans are to fuel growth and expand market share,” continued Cummings. “This is a prime location, which will go a long way in helping us to do just that.
For more information on Toyota of San Bernardino call (909) 381-4444 or visit ToyotaSB.com
About Toyota of San Bernardino
Since 1966 Toyota of San Bernardino has serviced the Inland Empire’s car buying needs as its premier Toyota dealership. A seven-time recipient of Toyota’s President’s Award, Toyota of San Bernardino continues to earn the highest honors for a Toyota dealership. It is dedicated to satisfying customers – from the day they buy a Toyota and for as long as they own it.
Toyota of San Bernardino is a fast and convenient place where the prompt and courteous sales people help customers find the new Toyota, Scion or a used vehicle that’s right for them.
The service department is staffed by courteous factory trained and ASE certified mechanics. Toyota of San Bernardino’s service department utilizes state-of-the-art diagnostic machines, computerized equipment and a well-stocked parts department to keep vehicles running their best.
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Media: If you would like any of the photos in the slide show below please send an email to Chris@DameronCommunications.com with the photo id number and i will have it to you within 24 hours. If you require the photo sooner please call Chris Sloan at (909) 888-0017.
San Bernardino Auto Center Installs New DIGITAL Freeway Sign
Artist Rendering of the new San Bernardino auto center DIGITAL freeway sign.
Work crew removing previous auto center sign. Photo by Chris Sloan
Toyota of San Bernardino removes old auto center sign to make way for the new state of the art DIGITAL auto center sign. Photo by Chris Sloan
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The San Bernardino Auto Center continues to show signs that things are changing, as its revitalization efforts continue with the installation of a state of the art LED display screen.
The new sign is the result of a public/private partnership established between Citizen Business Bank, San Bernardino Economic Development Agency and the San Bernardino Auto Center Dealer Association. This collaborative effort marks yet another milestone in creating an identity and awareness for the business center and surrounding area.
“While we did not provide funding for the sign, we were able to guarantee the loan with Citizen Business Bank,” says Emil Marzullo, Executive Director of the San Bernardino Economic Development Agency, “This allows the Auto Center Dealer Association to receive a much more affordable rate, over a longer period of time. This should go a long way to encourage growth at the auto center.”
One of the duties of the San Bernardino Economic Development Agency is to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of San Bernardino, by creating jobs and assisting businesses
through the creation of just this type of public/private partnership, in an effort to retain current businesses and to stimulate growth.
As a result of this partnership, it is projected that multiple secondary, highly skilled professions employed through the auto center should reap benefits.
“Beyond the dealers themselves, the center employs mechanics, landscapers, security and other high income positions, thus providing jobs to various people in the local area,” said Don Gee, Deputy Director San Bernardino Economic Development Agency.
No longer viewed as an organized group of corner car lots, the automobile industry has evolved into a highly competitive business. As a result, it has become necessary to make changes rapidly, when delivering its business messages, promotions and incentives in an effort to increase consumer traffic.
Across the country, countless auto centers use this type of technology to help promote and increase sales. However, since the sign will be located adjacent to the freeway, it will also serve as a gateway to the San Bernardino community, dedicated to display emergency and public service messages, such as Amber Alerts and traffic conditions, for the City of San Bernardino.
“Once installed, the sign will boast the latest in LED technology and stand an impressive 75 feet tall,” says Rod Wilson, EMI Electra-Media president, the company chosen to complete the construction of the new sign.
Fully viewable from either direction of the 215 Freeway, travelers will be able to see messages displayed in full color LED, on a viewing screen that measures approximately 28 feet x 28 feet.
“It’s about visibility,” said Clifford Cummings, Toyota of San Bernardino president. “We had a much older sign that had become fundamentally non-functional. It was inactive and did not give us much flexibility in communicating with our customers.”
Now equipped with this new state of the art electronic reader board, members of the Dealer Association are provided the availability to adapt their messages to the public at a moments notice, an advantage Cummings predicts will come in handy.
Capable of generating a new message every five seconds, the new sign meets all California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) regulations and will not distract drivers through the use of animation or fluid motion. It is also energy efficient, as it utilizes an automatic dimming device to adjust the intensity of the light according to surrounding conditions.
Scheduled to be operational by the middle of December, Cummings says the names of all the dealerships on the property will be listed on the sign. In addition, automobile franchises located in the center will have an opportunity to display their messages, promotions and incentives on the sign as well.
“This auto center is really a collaborative effort,” said Cummings. “We depend on each other to drive consumer traffic to our locations. The more awareness and business we bring to the auto center, the more attractive it will be for quality auto dealers to seek this as a location for their franchise, and that is a benefit to everyone involved.”
For more information on Toyota of San Bernardino call (909) 381-4444 or visit ToyotaSB.com
About Toyota of San Bernardino
Since 1966 Toyota of San Bernardino has serviced the Inland Empire’s car buying needs as its premier Toyota dealership. A seven-time recipient of Toyota’s President’s Award, Toyota of San Bernardino continues to earn the highest honors for a Toyota dealership. It is dedicated to satisfying customers – from the day they buy a Toyota and for as long as they own it.
Toyota of San Bernardino is a fast and convenient place where the prompt and courteous sales people help customers find the new Toyota, Scion or used vehicle that’s right for them.
The service department is staffed by courteous factory trained and ASE certified mechanics. Toyota of San Bernardino’s service department utilizes state-of-the-art diagnostic machines, computerized equipment and a well-stocked parts department to keep vehicles running their best.
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Media: If you would like any of the photos in the slide show below please send an email to Chris@DameronCommunications.com with the photo id number and i will have it to you within 24 hours. If you require the photo sooner please call Chris Sloan at (909) 888-0017.
TOYOTA OF SAN BERNARDINO BUYS KENNEDY CADILLAC SITE
Clifford Cummings overlooking the new Toyota of San Bernardino dealership location, formerly Kennedy Cadillac.
This is an artist’s rendition of what the new Toyota of San Bernardino dealership will look like upon completion of a 14-month renovation. The new dealership’s exterior design will have a highly recognizable signature portal for the Toyota brand, Toyota of San Bernardino and the Toyota product lines. Artist rendition by Toyota USA.
The newly acquired Kennedy Cadillac location is part of Toyota of San Bernardino’s plan to fuel growth and expand market share. In the next 14 months, the main building will be renovated to include new divisions, a body shop, expanded vehicle service department and sales. Photo by Chris Sloan
Floyd Nottmcier of McLay Plumbing repairs plumbing at the Toyota of San Bernardino building, formerly Kennedy Cadillac. Photo by Chris Sloan
Toyota of San Bernardino’s new high visibility 3.9-acre site with more than 44,000 square feet, which includes showroom, office space, a body shop and expanded vehicle service department. This will be the new home of Toyota of San Bernardino in 2012. This aerial view shows the present location of Toyota of San Bernardino center left and the future location on the top right. Photo from Google maps.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Toyota of San Bernardino has purchased the dealership formerly occupied by Kennedy Cadillac.
Toyota of San Bernardino President Clifford R. Cummings said “The property is smack on the 215 Freeway and will enhance our visibility immeasurably.”
“We are climbing out of the recession; the economy is improving and I am extremely optimistic about the future of the Inland Empire,” said Cummings.
Cummings believes the high visibility 3.9-acre site with more than 44,000 square feet is the perfect place to present the new 21st century-style Toyota dealership, which the Toyota corporation calls Toyota Image USA II.
This is part of Toyota of San Bernardino’s plan to fuel growth and expand market share. Toyota is giving incentives to dealers to build larger stores under its Image USA II architectural plan. The incentives include increased allocations of high demand models, such as Prius, Camry and Scion.
“We are very excited about the relocation of our dealership to continue the revitalization of the San Bernardino Auto Center. There are exciting things happening here and Toyota of San Bernardino is leading the way,” said Cummings.
Over the next 14 months Cummings will redesign and expand the structure to include new divisions, including a body shop and expanded vehicle service department as well as all sales.
Toyota of San Bernardino is a seven-time recipient of Toyota’s President’s Award, one of the highest honors for a Toyota dealership.
“The President’s Award is a testament to our staff’s dedication to satisfying every customer, from the day you buy a Toyota and for as long as you own it,” said Cummings.
The new dealership’s exterior design will have a highly recognizable signature portal for the Toyota brand, Toyota of San Bernardino and the Toyota product lines. The Toyota trademark in red creates a dominant, tasteful impression that is recognizable from a significant distance.
The move begins with an expansion of Toyota of San Bernardino’s new and used car divisions to the site as quickly as the permitting process allows. Other changes will happen over the next 14 months, with all construction expected to be completed by 2012.
“The collision center, also slated to be open ASAP, will be a center-point for job creation and customer service,” stated Cummings.
Peter Welch, president of the Sacramento-based California New Car Dealers Association, said 140 California new-car dealers shut down in 2008, and 92 closed in 2009. In 2010, about 64 GM and 32 Chrysler dealers in the state are expected to close.
Kennedy Cadillac is one of the many automotive dealership casualties of the national recession and Cummings sees that as an opportunity to revitalize and fill an empty building.
“We have expanded our work force by 15 percent since the bottom of the recession. Our plan is to add franchises to the Auto Plaza in order to stimulate job growth and retail sales,” said Cummings.
For more information on Toyota of San Bernardino call (909) 381-4444 or visit ToyotaSB.com
About Toyota of San Bernardino
Since 1966 Toyota of San Bernardino has serviced the Inland Empire’s car buying needs as its premier Toyota dealership. A seven-time recipient of Toyota’s President’s Award, Toyota of San Bernardino continues to earn the highest honors for a Toyota dealership. It is dedicated to satisfying customers – from the day they buy a Toyota and for as long as they own it.
Toyota of San Bernardino is a fast and convenient place where the prompt and courteous sales people help customers find the new Toyota, Scion or used vehicle that’s right for them.
The service department is staffed by courteous factory trained and ASE certified mechanics. Toyota of San Bernardino’s service department utilizes state-of-the-art diagnostic machines, computerized equipment and a well-stocked parts department to keep vehicles running their best.
For more information on Toyota of San Bernardino call (909) 381-4444 or visit ToyotaSB.com
Media: If you would like any of the photos in the slide show below please send an email to Chris@DameronCommunications.com with the photo id number and I will have it to you within 24 hours. If you require the photo sooner please call Chris Sloan at (909) 888-0017.