Carson Chrysler Jeep Dodge expanding

Carson Chrysler Jeep Dodge is expanding.

The South Carson street dealership broke ground this week on a new service center for trucks.

The 7,000 square foot addition, being built by Solum Construction in Reno, will include a break room, four bays, an in-ground alignment rack, and a new oil delivery system.

“We’re basically doubling our shop space,” said Steve Christian, general manager.

The dealership’s service business has been growing 60 percent or more for the last three years, and vehicle sales are booming, driven mostly by sales of Ram trucks and Jeeps.

“This has been our best year since 1987,” said Christian.

The $1.2 million expansion should take four- to six-months to complete, depending on weather.

The dealership plans to add about 12 service technicians to the 40 it currently employs, said Dan Radtke, service manager.

Radtke said the dealership has had trouble finding service techs so has instituted its own apprenticeship program. So far, two technicians have gone through it and another four employees will soon move into the program.

The dealership also recently replaced most of its exterior and interior lights with LEDs and is saving as much as 68 percent on electricity on its outdoor car lots.

Carson Chrysler Jeep Dodge also has installed three charging stations for electric vehicles. Chrysler is starting to build a hybrid Pacifica minivan, and the dealer has one on order, and the car maker is set to announce an all-electric one early next year, said Jim Cryer, owner, Carson Chrysler Jeep Dodge.