Bentleys in Nashville area?

It's funny you bring this up. I was just talking with a friend about the large number of Bentleys that I have seen in the Nashville area recently. Most are Continental GT/GTC's. I would say that over the past month I have seen at least 10 different examples. Even saw a Supersports yesterday.

Thoroughbred Motors in Nashville used to be a Ferrari dealer. I don't know if Nashville can support a Ferrari dealer, but I wish we could because it would spice things up a little bit. I would think that we may get a Bentley dealer before we get another Ferrari dealer, but that is a complete guess. We may not get either for quite a while.

Anyone else out there plugged in to this? Given the economic climate, I don't know that Bentley, Ferrari or anyone else would be jumping into new markets like Nashville anytime soon.

 

I doubt it. The market here is not big enough to justify the brands IMO.

 

Monte,

I don't live in Nashville, but it's somewhere in my top 3 places to visist. I've seen a ton of S-Class Benzes, 7-Series BMWs, and Turbo Porsches. I think one of the reasons you don't see many Bentleys, is because the closest dealer is not close ENOUGH. I don't doubt for a second that many of the drivers of those cars would upgrade to a Bentley if there was a dealer in the Franklin / Brentwood area. There's no Bentley market down there becuase nobody has MADE a Bentley market there. Hopefully, somebody changes that! (hint..hint)

 

If you want to start small until Nashville grows into that kind of market, there are more than a few ex-franchise car dealer locations that would work quite nice(I have one in Franklin in my head) Building new would be quite costly and could sink the whole deal. In a few years if business is good build that new location.
I would think that would be the only hope in staying in business if you want to make a profit. On the other hand, if you have 100 million in the bank and just want to do it for fun or other experience then maybe a New Flashy location would work.

Good luck and a I am more than sure a few users here would enjoy a Ferrari and Bentley dealership here for service, not sure if its enough to make it work tho.

 

I don't live there either, but it's in my top 3 places to move someday. I love Nashvegas

it's an interesting place re: luxury cars, not a particularly large market and (relatively) close to ATL; however, lots of large corporate headquarters there (HCA, Nissan, Bridgestone/Firestone, CAT FInancial, etc) and of course all the entertainment money. and, unlike most smaller southern/midwestern towns, there doesn't seem to be huge stigma against showing wealth.

I think a small, well-run Bentley or Ferrari dealer could do well in Nashville. as mentioned above, it would have to be a "recycled" dealership facility, and be VERY service-oriented, but I think it's a decent market.

has anyone approached FNA about getting a Ferrari service center like the one in STL? that might be a good place to start.

 

Although I do not own a Ferrari I do hear a lot of comments from owners near the area. My opinion is that a dealership would be great for the area. You have a lot of professional athletes from the Titans and Predators that would most likely purchase one if there was a place nearby to service. I have a friend who owns a f430 and says the only complaint he would have is always having to pay to get the car hauled to Atlanta for service. Another thing to consider is not only the purchasing and maintenance of Ferraris or Bentleys for customers in the Nashville area but also for clients in Memphis, Knoxville and other fairly wealthy areas nearby. I know other states such as Kentucky would also like having a closer dealership for maintenance. Hope this input helped.

 

So there is a market for Bentley in Nashville? How many Ferrari's do you think are around and what happened to the previous dealer?

 

my understanding has always been Ferrari took the franchise away because Martin Bennett was defrauding them on warranty work. seems like it was taken away about 1992. anybody sure on the year?

 

How many of you own a Ferrari and live in Nashville?

 

Maserati is coming to cool springs next month next to Nissan, Mazda, and infinite

 

If true, this is very interesting/exciting. Do you have any more details, by chance? Is it going to be a full-service dealer? Will it be attached to anything else or a stand-alone? New construction or utilization of an existing structure? Maybe an authorized Ferrari Service Center included?!! Any further info would be greatly appreciated!

 

Well the building is in the old used Infiniti dealership which is on Comtide Court. The building is in between Nissan, Mazda, Hyundia, and the Infiniti dealerships of coolsprings. As you drive around the circle you will notice the Maserati logo on the glass door. I was told that the owner of the dealership is a guy name Terry. I believe his last name is Taylor but that may not be correct. I believe he owns the dealerships such as nissan and the other surrounding dealerships and BMW of nashville. I was also told that its opening next month and ferrari is not apart of the dealership.

 

Great info! Thanks!

 

We will be opening October the 28th, to shake hands and share plans. I hope to have some inventory but we are coming up on our date fast. We will have a complete opening November 18th. We are located directly across I-65 from Cool Springs Galleria in the Nissan Infiniti Hyundai complex.
Tom

 

Monte,

Not sure if you're still intersted, but a very high end dealership (real estate only) in Nashville is coming to market for sale or lease...turn key facility +/-12,400 SF in Williamson County (17th weathiest county in US). If you or any of the rest of you have any interest shoot me an [email protected] I can send you more details.

Pete