After six months of planning, Tim Henry was understandably eager to see renovations begin this week at Twin Motors Ford. THE RENOVATIONS were made possible through Ford Motor Company’s franchise improvement effort, a nationwide promotion for franchisees.
“It’s taken a while to get the numbers put together, and to make sure we’re meeting Ford Motor Company’s criteria,” Henry said Tuesday, one day after crews began demolishing the dealership’s showroom.
The renovations include a complete rebuild of Twin Motors front offices and showroom.
The existing 3,000-square-foot building will nearly double in size providing a more spacious — and comfortable — customer waiting area.
“We’ll have a canopy covering our service area, and we’ll have a new car delivery area, where we can show cars in snowy or wet weather,” Henry said.
The new building also will sport fully accessible restroom facilities and be more energy efficient. The dealship has largely gone unchanged since it was built in 1968.
“We had to this because of how much the demand for our brand has risen,” Henry said. “With a larger customer base coming in, you need more room for your waiting and service areas.”
The dealership lot has been reconfigured to accommodate the renovations.
A large modular trailer on the north side of the old show room holds the offices and a waiting area.
“We’re trying to make the transition as easy as possible for our customers, and keep our value as strong as it always has been,” he said.
Twin Motors has 20 employees. All will remain on duty during the renovations.
“We’re keeping everybody busy,” Henry said. “There’s probably more work now for them to do.”
Henry expects the renovations to last about five or six months.
“We appreciate the community bearing with us, and all the support the community has given our families in the past and present,” he said. “We value our product. We feel we have one of the most superior products in the market today, and it shows. These changes should be very attractive, and should make it a lot easier for our customers.”
Henry noted Twin Motors is the only franchise store in Allen County for any automaker.
It’s important, he said, that Twin Motors remain in good standing with Ford.
“Other franchises across the country are doing the same thing,” he said. “We think this is a big thing for our community.”
Henry and wife Teresa have owned Twin Motors for the past 12 years.
Renovations begin at Twin Motors dealership
