Mercedes-Benz USA has started construction on a new West Coast regional facility in east Long Beach, CA, that will combine its vehicle preparation center, learning and performance center and western sales offices.
The new facility will consist of two buildings totaling 1.09 million square feet on a 52.2-acre lot that served as home to the Douglas Aircraft Co. starting in 1941 and later became the Boeing 717 aircraft manufacturing facility until closing in 2006.
The 1.1 million-square-foot facility, to be located across the street from Long Beach Airport in the Pacific Pointe at Douglas Park mixed-use development, will serve 82 dealerships in 12 states. It's expected to be ready to begin operations in the first quarter of 2015.
Dietmar Exler, vice president of sales for Montvale, NJ-based Mercedes-Benz USA, noting that Southern California is the "car culture capital of the world and it remains one of the largest markets for the Mercedes-Benz brand."
"Thirty years ago Mercedes-Benz planted roots in Southern California and expanding sales volume necessitates that we have the most efficient and effective structure to support our dealers in providing a world-class customer experience," Exler said.
Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster said Mercedes-Benz "is an iconic brand moving into an iconic building with a plan to re-imagine the former 717 site into a state-of-the-art facility that will activate this property for many years to come."