The new dealership replaces a shop that was previously used by Chrysler Jeep of Ann Arbor for oil changes and prepping new cars for showrooms.
Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com
The Suburban Collection dealership, located across the street from Suburban Chrysler Jeep of Ann Arbor, is still waiting for its finishing touches, but opened for business Dec. 31.
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“We honestly think that this is a match made in heaven. If there was a perfect market for Fiat it would be Ann Arbor. The culture behind the brand and the way of life in Ann Arbor just fit perfectly.”
Tabet said Suburban originally planned to open their one allotted Fiat dealership in Novi, but once the opportunity came to acquire the Chrysler Jeep of Ann Arbor with it’s extra lot across the street, plans changed.
“Timing-wise, everything just really worked out,” he said. “The fuel economy the brand offers is phenomenal and really meshes with what people in Ann Arbor want.”
Suburban broke ground on the new dealership at the beginning of October. Tabet said Redford-based Bloom General Contracting completed the project faster than expected.
“The weather was really on our side. We only had to halt construction for three days total during those three months,” he said.
“Bloom was just phenomenal, and so was the city of Ann Arbor. Obviously there’s hurdles every time you’re building a new structure, and the city was great to work with.”
Fiat is located in a smaller lot on the southwest side of West Stadium Boulevard that holds 56 cars. Tabet said he already is down to 50 cars and is ordering more as they are sold.
The dealership is 3,400 square feet and will have an espresso machine and artwork designed to give it what Tabet called “Ann Arbor flair." There are two fulltime salespeople at the dealership with another one or two expected to be hired in the coming months.
Ben Freed covers business for AnnArbor.com. You can sign up here to receive Business Review updates every week. Reach out to Ben at 734-623-2528 or email him at benfreed@annarbor.com. Follow him on twitter @BFreedinA2