South Trail Chrysler groundbreaking ceremony, (left to right) Dave Buckingham, COO Chrysler Canada, Bob Devlin Western Business Manager, Chrysler Canada, Jim McManes, President, McManes Automotive Group, Reid Bigland CEO, Chrysler Canada, Mike McManes, General Manager, Eastside Dodge
In Calgary, Alta., the McManes Automotive Group has begun construction of the new South Trail Auto Mall, located in the southeast corner of the city. During a conversation with Canadian auto dealer, Jim and Mike McManes said that the first dealership on the property, a Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership and adjoining FIAT store, is scheduled for completion in early 2016. This new store marks the eighth Chrysler dealership in Calgary and once finished will encompass approximately 101,000 square feet and feature rooftop parking for up to 175 vehicles. Jim McManes says that given the significant increase in land value over the last few years, “it simply made sense” to maximize space utilization at the South Trail site.
Besides the new South Trail Chrysler store, two more dealerships will also be opening at South Trail — a Kia dealership, which is set to open in the latter half of 2015 and a Hyundai store during the latter part of 2016.
McManes says that when the 32-acre property was purchased in 2012, “we knew there would be an opportunity for more than just the Chrysler dealership. We’ve now got three manufacturers committed and we still have two five acre parcels left.”
