Ground broken on Findlay’s Audi Henderson dealership

Ground was recently broken on the Findlay Automotive Group's new 30,000-square-foot Audi Henderson dealership, which is being added in the extension of the Valley Automall, east of U.S. Highway 93.

Currently situated at 210 Gibson Road, Audi Henderson is the latest edition to the Findlay Automotive Group of dealerships. The new dealership is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2009.

"The building will have a tremendous presence, especially when lit up at night," said Audi Henderson general manager Jim DiGuilio. "It is a new design called the "Terminal," and we will be one of the first pure terminal buildings in the United States. It is a design that brings to life the design, architecture and technology that is Audi."

Diguilio said that Audi's auto racing heritage will be evident in the structure.

"The dominating theme on the interior is a canted wall that runs the entire width of the showroom simulating the banking of a race track," Diguilio said. "Audi wanted to bring its motor sports heritage and success into the showroom with a dynamic central focal point."

Perhaps just as important will be its service department, which will have a 14-bay shop and will create jobs for techs, service writers and others.

"It's the second store of its kind in the country," said 47-year-old native Las Vegan Richard Youngblood of Youngblood Architecture. "The only others like it are in Germany and Australia. It's truly a one of a kind. The building is actually designed from the inside out. The intent of the building was to see a race track from the outside."

Michael Erne, Audi's general manager for the Pacific Southwest, commended Audi Henderson's new dealership for being one of the first to pen in this new design. He said the final project is true to the original European concept in terms of interior and exterior design.

"The all-new Audi Henderson facility (that is) currently under construction represents the flagship design for Audi dealerships worldwide," said Erne.

Audi became the latest member of Findlay Automotive Group when it opened on Nov. 16, 2007.

The Audi emblem with its four rings identifies one of Germany's oldest-established automobile manufacturers. It symbolizes the amalgamation in 1932 of four previously independent motor vehicle manufacturers: Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer. The companies form the roots of what is today known as AUDI AG.

Further information can be obtained at www.audi henderson.com or by calling the dealership at 982-4600.