Houston car dealers put pedal to the medal

HOUSTON – Houston car dealers have more than $100 million in renovation and new construction scheduled over the next few years.

Tommie Vaughn Ford is set to break ground on a new showroom. The project will cost between $8 million and $10 million.

Sterling McCall Lexus, one of the highest-volume Lexus dealers in the U.S., is moving from its current Southwest Fwy. site to a larger facility with more amenities nearby.

A subsidiary of Sonic Automotive is building a seven-story, $20 million Audi dealership along the Southwest Fwy. at Greenbriar, replacing the nearby Momentum Audi.

Baker Nissan North and West Houston Infiniti also have major remodels in the works.

Group 1 Automotive plans to remodel three of its local dealerships, open three more and spiff up its other local dealerships and collision centers. Group 1 plans to spend almost $50 million on 16 projects in the Houston-Beaumont region. The company also plans a South Loop Hyundai and, on the Southwest Fwy., a Sterling McCall Hyundai and Sterling McCall Fiat.

Cadillac is remodeling all six of its area dealerships at a cost of about $42 million.

Several former car lots are getting new uses. Near the Galleria, the old Central Ford is being replaced by the High Street mixed-use development. On I-45 North, an equipment company has purchased the former Landmark Chevrolet.

Read more at the Houston Chronicle.