Photo by Amy DenneyLisa Copeland, general manager of Fiat of Austin, received a Fiat in "Lamborghini Pink" in 2012 for helping her team break Fiat's North American sales record for selling 110 cars in one month in April 2012.
Three years after opening in The Domain, Fiat of Austin plans to relocate to a larger facility on US 183 in Northwest Austin.
General Manager Lisa Copeland said the dealership will move the second or third week of February from The Domain to the former Pavilion Lincoln-Mercury/Mitsubishi dealership, located at 13049 N. US 183. Copeland said this will allow Fiat of Austin to grow from 6,000 square feet of space to 25,000 square feet.
"We were just hindered," she said of The Domain location. "We expected to move last year."
Fiat of Austin, which is owned by Nyle Maxwell Family of Dealerships, will also move its service center to the new facility. It is currently located at the Nyle Maxwell Supercenter at 13401 N. RM 620.
"Nyle and I planned for this growth, knowing The Domain was a temporary location," Copeland said.
With the added space, Copeland said she expects new Fiat sales to increase from more than 110 per month to more than 160 per month. Used vehicle sales are expected to increase from about 40 per month to more than 80 per month because of the additional room for inventory, Copeland said.
She will also be able to expand her sales team from 10 members to 15 members.
Copeland said the new facility will also have a runway similar to The Domain location to allow buyers to showcase their new purchases.
"We will try to maintain the DNA and culture of Fiat of Austin," Copeland said.
A grand opening is planned for March, and Copeland said the dealership is also preparing to start selling Alfa Romeo vehicles in about six months. Selling Alfa Romeo vehicles is reserved for the top Fiat dealerships in North America. Fiat of Austin is No. 1 in the United States.
