Staff Photo by Gillian Bolsover Mountain View Nissan celebrated its grand opening Thursday.
Even as the economy and auto business climb out of the toughest trough in decades, Mountain View Nissan officials say their new facility will power a future that will mean adding about 30 jobs.
"I see sales taking off," said Don Thomas, dealer principal of the downtown Chattanooga dealership, about the $6 million location that marked its opening Thursday.
Mr. Thomas said the dealership is selling between 1,500 and 1,600 new and used vehicles annually. The new Nissan store is aiming for the 2,000 mark, he said.
"Now we have the space to do it," Mr. Thomas said.
The 30,000 square-foot facility, which now employs about 40 full-time people, is one block away from the dealership's previous location that has become Mountain View Chevrolet. The Chevrolet dealership moved from Riverfront Parkway, where it was leasing space.
Austin Watson, the Nissan dealership's executive manager, said it has added four new salespeople and two technicians since the move to the facility at 2100 S. Market St. late last month.
"We'll need more to support the business in both areas," he said. Mr. Watson said the new so-called supercenter has 18 service bays, up from 11 at the old location.
Kevin Wagstaff, Nissan North America's regional marketing manager, termed the new facility "spectacular in size and scope."
While the economy is tough, he said Nissan is meeting its internal goals and gaining market share.
"If you do the right things when things are difficult, and when those times end, you'll come out much stronger," he said.
Mayor Ron Littlefield said the new dealership is a welcome investment due to the jobs and the way it enhances the gateway to the central city.
"This is perhaps the most transformed corner in the most transformed city in America," he told a group inside the dealership's showroom.
Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey said that even though the auto business is going the wrong way now, it's a time for good companies to step up and be aggressive.
He cited such businesses as Alstom, Chattem and BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee which continue to expand and prepare for an upturn in the economy.
The Nissan supercenter is a part of the Watson family dealership group that includes Mountain View Ford Lincoln Mercury and Mountain View Chevrolet.
The Watson's auto interests span three generations starting with C. Austin Watson. Mr. Watson set up the business when he bought Mountain View Ford in 1981.
Soon after, he was joined by sons Don and David and nephew Andy Watson, who became part owners of the dealership.
The Watson family bought Mountain View Nissan in 1987, Mountain View Lincoln Mercury in 2006 and Mountain View Chevrolet in 2007. Other family members joining the team include Mr. Watson's grandson-in-law, Don Thomas, and grandsons Clay and Austin Watson. C. Austin Watson died in 2005.
"Even though our father is not with us today, I know he is very proud of our family and what we've accomplished," said Don Watson, president and CEO of Mountain View Nissan.
