Auto Dealership Design & Construction: Five Considerations for Building an OEM-Compliant Facility
From Volkswagen to Honda, from Ford to Chevrolet – no two auto dealerships are alike, even those that operate under the same brand umbrella. While every dealership has room to personalize their space, the OEMs they represent mandate strict showroom and brand experience criteria. If a dealership fails to consider this criteria early in the process – before a single design sketch or construction material is purchased – it can result in delays or expensive redesign considerations.
Here’s how to overcome these challenges and plan for an OEM-compliant facility during every stage of the design-build process:
#1: Get the Guidelines in Hand
Every auto manufacturer has a dealership facility image program that outlines details like exterior architecture, interior finishes, signage, customer amenities and more. Some of these details are mandatory; others are recommended. Details can also change periodically. Be sure you not only have the most up-to-date information, but that you also share these mandates with your design and construction team during your first meeting. A common pitfall with many dealers during the design stage is choosing finishes that don’t meet OEM specifications. Having guidelines in hand can help avoid this issue and assures that the design-build team makes recommendations that fall within specific criteria.
#2: Define the Customer Experience From Purchase to Service
OEM guidelines will often include suggestions or design considerations for how customers interact with your sales and service teams. These suggestions can be as detailed as what finishes are used for seating and desks to what specific furniture should be used at every touchpoint in the sales and service process. Higher-end auto manufacturers may require specific bays for vehicle delivery, premium car washing equipment and grease-free zones where customers never see service personnel. Service advisor stations may be needed or a single desk can accommodate all car drop-offs.
OEMs expect facilities to reinforce the customer experience throughout the car’s lifecycle, and this expectation can play a major role in how your facility design takes shape.
#3: Plan for Flexible Spaces
Future-proofing a dealership means consulting with OEM personnel on what’s not only important today, but where the model line is headed for the future. For example, does additional infrastructure need to be in place for EV service or charging? Service departments often generate the majority of a dealership’s profitability – are additional lifts needed to keep up with sales demand? OEM standards may evolve, so flexibility protects your building investment.
#4: Coordinate Early with OEM Review Teams
Timeline planning is more than asking, “when do we break ground and when will we be finished?” When dealerships undertake a new build or remodel, it’s important to map out when and how OEM teams will review and approve drawings, site plans, materials, construction parameters and other milestones. What does the OEM mandate and what does the build team recommend? Establishing a communications pipeline early between architect, contractor and OEM representative avoids missed deadlines, unanswered questions and delays during construction.
#5: Partner with Experienced Dealership Construction Professionals
When interviewing partners for all stages of design and build, it’s important to look for architects familiar with OEM image programs and general contractors experienced in dealership projects. Our work with automotive dealers across a variety of brands, coupled with our design-build approach to construction, streamlines the entire process. According to the Design Build Institute of America, the design-build method is 102% faster than traditional design-bid-build construction methods without adding costs. Plus, when you work with a design-build company like STAR, we take care of overseeing the entire construction process, including coordinating with OEM inspections and approvals.
