A major investment became a reality when the new, state-of-the art Infiniti of Chattanooga sales and service dealership facility made its opening official on Thursday, under new ownership and management.
The new facility is at 7646 Lee Highway near the Bonny Oaks exit off I-75 north, and is the fourth luxury dealership located in Chattanooga Auto Square.
The investment including the purchase of the Infiniti franchise, and the construction costs for the new facility was made by the dealership’s parent company, Furrow Automotive, headquartered in Knoxville.
“Chattanooga is the perfect market for the growth of this important luxury franchise,” said Sam Furrow, chairman of the board of Furrow Automotive. “We are investing here because we like Chattanooga’s people, its values, and its respect for quality.”
The Furrow Automotive investment was welcomed by InfinitiUSA, the United States distribution arm for Infiniti Motors, according to Sam Liang, InfinitiUSA Dealer Operations Manager, Tennessee / Alabama / Mississippi.
“The new building will improve customer service since it will mean a larger sales and service team. In addition the increased size of the new facility will mean Infiniti customers will have an excellent selection from the entire Infiniti line of luxury automobiles,” said Mr. Liang.
Mr. Liang also noted that the investment by Furrow Automotive and its partnership with InfinitiUSA represents another step in Infiniti’s commitment to the State of Tennessee which includes the final assembly of Infiniti’s new QX60 SUV at its Smyrna, TN operation.
“By virtue of Furrow Automotive’s delivery of unparalleled style and luxury through its existing Chattanooga dealerships, we think our Infiniti brand will be well represented as part of their Chattanooga Auto Square,” said Mr. Liang.
Infiniti of Chattanooga is the fourth piece forming the “Chattanooga Auto Square,” an area home to Furrow Automotive’s three other luxury dealerships: Land Rover of Chattanooga, Jaguar of Chattanooga, and Porsche of Chattanooga. (Furrow Automotive also owns Mercedes Benz of Knoxville and Land Rover of Knoxville.)
George Becknell, executive manager, will be responsible for all operations and customer relations at Infiniti of Chattanooga. Mr. Becknell is a veteran automotive operator in Chattanooga having eight years of Infiniti management experience with Infiniti of Chattanooga under previous ownership.
“Our staff will include a total of twenty five (25) who are experienced and committed to deliver the ownership experience one expects from a luxury line like Infiniti, and now being delivered by the rest of our luxury dealerships owned by Furrow Automotive,” said Mr. Becknell.
He continued that normally the sales showroom will be open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., and on Saturday, 9 a.m.6 p.m.
Service hours, according to Jerry Walker, service manager, are Monday-Friday from 7:30 p.m.-6 p.m.