A Manchester, Tenn., car dealer says his new Toyota location will provide a better atmosphere for customers and service technicians.

“I didn’t build the new store for me to have a new facility,” said John Roberts, owner of John Roberts Toyota. “I was profitable before. I needed a new facility to take care of the customers I had and get them in for service.”

The auto dealer said he expects vehicle sales to increase 20 percent in the first year and service work to double or triple.

Mr. Roberts said he moved his Toyota store in May to 2610 Hillsboro Blvd., next door to the old shop. Home Depot had bought land behind the old dealership and didn’t want a car lot in front of its store, he said. He sold the old site to the retailer, which demolished the structure.

The store has 150 new and 110 used vehicles, Mr. Roberts said, about double the old inventory. He added several staff, he said, and now has 26 workers.

The dealership is on the former site of Mr. Roberts’ Nissan dealership, which moved across the street about five years ago, he said. Mr. Roberts declined to reveal his development costs.

The new Toyota dealership has 13 service bays, compared to four at the old location. The old store had only one lift that could service trucks, Mr. Roberts said, which was hurting his ability to serve clients. The service bays are air-conditioned for the technicians’ comfort.

John Roberts Toyota is having an open house today from 1-8 p.m. with live entertainment. A Toyota Motor Sales official will present Mr. Roberts with a katana sword, a Toyota tradition, according to a statement.

One Manchester official said the dealership’s expansion is a positive step for the town.

“Even though everything has slowed down with the economy, to us it’s such a positive reinforcement to have Toyota put its faith in Manchester,” said Susie McEacharn, executive director of the Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce.