Gettel Toyota of Bradenton expansion is the latest big move by growing automobile group
The ever-growing Gettel Automotive Group completed its most recent expansion in late 2019 with the multi-million dollar makeover of Gettel Toyota of Bradenton.
The 17-month project produced a new 60,000-square-foot show room and service center and a 32,000-square-foot collision center on 20 acres at 6323 14th St W.
The new service center and collision center each have 25 air-conditioned bays.
Gettel’s Kia dealership moved into space vacated by Gettel of Toyota at 6423 14th St. W., and is due for an upgrade next, said Jim Gettel, president of the Gettel Automotive Group.
In 2019, Gettel Toyota of Bradenton won the Toyota President’s Award for sales value and customer service, not bad for a dealership operating out of 25-year-old facilities, Gettel said.
Gettel Toyota of Bradenton sold 2,900 new and used vehicles in 2019, and expects to sell 3,500 in 2020. The dealership now has a staff of 220, a 20 percent increase over the previous year, he said.
Everyone is excited to be in the new state-of-the-art facility after being in the old one for 25 years, he said. The new facility makes for a more welcoming and comfortable environment for customers and staff alike, he said.
“With our new facility we can accommodate the customer better,” said Roy Smalls, general manager of Gettel Toyota of Bradenton. “We have a lot more waiting area. It’s state-of-the art as far of the amenities that we offer. The service lounge can accommodate about 100 customers. We can store more vehicles so we have a lot more vehicles in stock.”
Gettel Automotive Group has its corporate headquarters at the Gettel Toyota of Lakewood store, 5959 State Road 64 E. Previously, the corporate headquarters were in Gainesville.
Gettel opened Gettel Toyota of Lakewood in 2012 on 20 acres that it bought in 2006.
Gettel, which had 11 stores statewide as recently as 2016, now has 17. The most recent additions are the Bradenton Kia dealership and five dealerships in Punta Gorda. Other stores are located in Sarasota, Gainesville and Ocala.
In 2016, the automotive group had a workforce of about 800, which has grown to more than 1,300. The company forecasts that it will sell 27,000 vehicles this year
For more about Gettel Automotive Group visit https://www.gettel.com/.
