Durango Motor Co. held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for a new pre-owned vehicle lot and repair facility, marking a major dealership expansion.
The new 23,000-square-foot facility, located at 1200 Carbon Junction Road on the former Tarpley RV site, will allow Durango Motor Co. to service more vehicles, reduce customer wait time and add employees, said General Manager Michael Aus II.
Additionally, it will consolidate the company’s repair facilities and sales lot into one location.
Currently, Durango Motor Co. operates out of two locations: its sales lot at 1240 Escalante Drive and its detail center at 463 Turner Drive.
The consolidation will significantly improve efficiency, Aus said. Staff will no longer need to transport vehicles between sites, and customers will benefit from having everything in one place.
The project has been in development for three to four years in response to growing demand, Aus said.
The business handles about 100 service customers daily and sells nearly 300 vehicles a month – a pace that has stretched the dealership’s infrastructure to its limits.
The completed campus will include 11 additional service stalls, allowing the company to increase its 180-person staff by 10%, Aus said.
The expansion comes amid economic uncertainty, with tariffs imposed by the Trump administration contributing to a volatile market. Analysts predict rising construction costs and a potential slowdown in the auto industry. The project, a ground-up build, is a significant undertaking.
But Aus said he is not worried about the timing of the project.
“There is a lot of fear and uncertainty right now, and people are wanting to come in and buy cars before the price increases,” he said.
If the market slows, Aus said, Durango Motor Co. will be ready.
“We’ve always been resilient,” he said. “We’re ready to weather the storm.”
The company’s wide range of services provides stability, Aus said. If demand for new cars declines, customers are more likely to keep their vehicles and opt for repairs – which still generates revenue.
As for construction challenges, the dealership does not anticipate major delays. All contractors have been hired, and although material costs may rise, no serious setbacks are expected.
The facility is projected to be completed by early 2026.
jbowman@durangoherald.com
