New facility planned for North Bay Chrysler

NORTH BAY, ONT. – The 50th year at its current location will also be the last as rezoning has been approved that will see North Bay Chrysler move to a new facility early next year.

The roughly $7-million project is expected to break ground in May. And for dealer Ryan Farquhar, the move can’t come fast enough.

“It feels great to be giving our city a brand new state-of-the-art Chrysler building,” he told Canadian AutoWorld.

“I have had many conversations over the years that included questions about when or if I would do a new build. When this project is completed in February 2017 our valued customers will no longer have to find parking space then deal with the northern elements to get their car serviced. They will be able to drive right into our indoor heated drive-thru service bays and from there go straight into the building where they can enjoy a tech-friendly waiting lounge.”

North Bay Chrysler has been at its current location on Lakeshore Dr. since 1966. Its new site is nearly three acres on Trout Lake Rd. roughly six kilometres away. It will sit next to a grocer and just down the road from Neddy’s North Bay Hyundai.

The new facility will top out at 23,500 square feet and boast a drive-thru service lane, quick lube services and more.

Donald M. Seguin Construction is building the store.

The plans detailed by Farquhar underscores the emphasis he is putting on service. In addition to a service lounge with free Wi-Fi, he said television screens would display the status of a vehicle as it moves through service procedures.

“Plans are in place to have a free mobile app available to access this information for those whom have opted not to wait for their vehicle and used the service shuttle to get to work,” he said.

As for the old home, he noted it is a leased location he plans to hold on to until February 2018.

“And I'm open to discussing business solutions for that space,” he added.