(Photo credit: Marc-Antoine Jean, Marcographie)
In Gatineau, Que. a new Mercedes-Benz dealership has opened its doors for business. Mercedes-Benz Gatineau, which covers 55,000 sq.ft., is the largest automotive retail store of its kind yet seen in the Outaouais region and will provide sales and service for Mercedes-Benz, AMG, smart and Sprinter commercial vehicles.
At the opening ceremony, Philippe St-Pierre, dealer principal, said “as both the owner of another dealership and fan of German cars, I saw a huge opportunity for a new luxury auto dealership in Ottawa.”
St-Pierre, who also runs Volkswagen de L’Outaouais in Gatineau says he developed a passion for the Mercedes-Benz brand almost 20 years ago while working as a student intern for a dealership in Karlsruhe, Germany. He was invited to submit a franchise proposal to Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. in 2010 and received his letter of intent in February 2012.
The new facility was conceived with efficiency in mind and relies on geothermal energy for both heating and cooling. Triple-glaze tinted windows also provide additional insulation and help save on heating bills.
Mercedes-Benz Gatineau boasts a 13,000 sq.ft. open concept showroom on the main level, plus an additional 18,000 sq.ft. showroom in the basement designed to hold pre-owned inventory.
The service department which covers an area of 12,000 sq.ft. features 10 vehicle maintenance bays, four service bays and an additional two bays for cleanup. The actual shop also sports a heated tile floor and like the showroom area, uses geothermal energy to regulate temperature.
Mercedes-Benz Gatineau has created 40 new full-time positions as a result of its opening and is expected to see an annual turnover of $45 million.
