Schmidt complex expands

Ed Schmidt's car dealership has a 23,000 square foot body shop under construction at the firm's location in Perrysburg. THE BLADE/JETTA FRASER Enlarge | Photo Reprints

The Ed Schmidt Automotive Group plans to invest significantly in its Perrysburg complex in the coming months with a new body shop, a renovated GMC showroom, and its first-ever Volvo showroom.

Work is under way on a 23,000- square-foot body shop that will house two paint booths and two staging areas. Greg Goatley, general manager, said the shop will be about three times the size of the dealership's current body shop and will have more environmentally friendly equipment and processes. It is to be finished by the end of April.

"The whole set-up is really going to be state of the art. It's a large investment for Tom Schmidt to make, and we're really happy he's done it," Mr. Goatley said. "It shows his commitment not only to the community but to the future of the organization and the body shop business."

Within weeks, the dealership will begin a renovation of its GMC showroom to bring ot into line with General Motors Co.'s vision.

Mr. Goatley said work is to start within months to convert the quick lube facility into a standalone Volvo showroom.

Altogether, the company expects to spend at least $3.2 million on its North Dixie Highway complex.

John Alexander, Perrysburg city administrator, called the expansion a "welcome project" and said no incentives were requested from the city. "Any additional positions are certainly welcome in this economy, not only in Perrysburg but for the Toledo metropolitan area," he said.

Officials expect seven jobs will be created with the expansion of the body shop.

Christopher Nawrocki, of Swanton, working on a doorway for the new shop. THE BLADE/JETTA FRASER Enlarge | Photo Reprints

In a way, the construction signals a new future for the auto group, which was hit particularly hard in 2009 by decisions from two of Detroit automakers to streamline both their dealer networks and their own lines.

First, a bankrupt Chyrsler Group LLC announced it would terminate its contract with the Schmidt group for Jeep in May, 2009. A few months later, GM, mired in its own financial woes, pulled the dealership's Chevrolet franchise.

Pontiac and Hummer were lost later as GM pared its number of brands.

The dealership also recently lost Saab, which filed for bankruptcy in December. Mr. Goatley said the Swedish automaker had not represented a significant portion of the dealership's business for several years.

In response, Ed Schmidt Auto Group consolidated its operations at the Perrysburg location with a focus on expanding its used car business and building its Volkswagen franchise.

"We're very happy with the progress we've made in the last three years, and that's why we can make that type of investment," Mr. Goatley said.

Volkswagen sales approached 600 units last year, and officials are planning to increase that to perhaps 800 in 2012.

Currently, Volvos are a featured guest in the Volkswagen showroom. Company officials think adding a showroom that includes a service department could double the number of Volvos they sell. According to numbers from the Toledo Automobile Dealer's Association, the dealer sold 44 Volvos last year.

Mr. Goatley said plans are drawn up and officials are working with Volvo to fine-tune the plans.

The dealership plans to keep some sort of quick oil change business, perhaps using a portion of the current body shop.

Contact Tyrel Linkhorn at: tlinkhorn@theblade.com or 419-724-6134.