Our Road Map to Auto Dealerships

Automotive Dealership Renovations Road Map

Our team has extensive experience helping auto dealerships successfully complete manufacturer-driven renovation projects. These projects typically occur every six years to align each facility with the brand’s latest design standards and ever-changing customer experience expectations.

Over the past twenty years, we’ve partnered with leading automotive brands including Chevrolet, Nissan, Subaru, Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge/Ram, Kia, Mazda, and Cadillac— delivering projects that strengthen both brand identity and local presence.

Are we there yet?

Carmakers continue to pressure dealers to update facilities in line with evolving branding and design standards. Dealers, however, often hesitate to begin, concerned about high costs, construction impacts on operations, and navigating requirements that emphasize aesthetics more than practical challenges like permitting, compliance, and site logistics. In New Jersey, where energy and rehabilitation codes are among the nation’s strictest, these concerns are understandable—but with the right approach and team, upgrades can deliver long-term operational and competitive advantages.

Our program has become essential to many dealers to help finance renovations and improve business techniques. Our team understands that these renovations require more than just architectural updates—they demand coordination and balance between three key stakeholders:

• Manufacturer Designers – We work closely with brand design teams to interpret and implement corporate design guidelines, ensuring that each facility reflects the exact aesthetic and functional requirements while adapting those standards to the specific site and building conditions.
• Dealership Owners – We collaborate with owners to balance manufacturer requirements with operational needs, construction budgets, and long-term business goals. Our role is to advocate for the owner while still meeting brand compliance.
• Local Planning Boards & Authorities – Our firm has a proven track record navigating zoning, permitting, and community concerns. We know how to present manufacturer standards in a way that satisfies municipal requirements, ensuring approvals move forward smoothly.

Dealers sometimes delay engaging their design team, which can have costly time impacts or redesigns. Early involvement ensures realistic planning, clear interpretation of the manufacturer’s design-intent documents, and compliance with the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code (UCC). Skilled design teams can often negotiate adjustments with the brand specifier to propose alternatives, for our clients, that preserve brand intent while keeping budgets and schedules in check.

It’s Complicated

New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program and EV charging mandates are accelerating the need for robust electrical infrastructure at dealerships. Incorporating Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) into site design is no longer optional; it requires careful coordination with utilities and alignment with Municipal and State requirements. An experienced team can integrate EV charging, electrical service upgrades, and renewable energy options while capturing available state incentives and rebates. These measures not only satisfy compliance but also strengthen a dealership’s positioning in a rapidly electrifying market.

Dealership renovations often trigger other improvements to the building systems under New Jersey’s rehabilitation sub-code and to accessibility to comply with barrier free requirements. Working with a knowledgeable design team ensures compliance with these standards while avoiding costly last-minute changes.

Auto dealership renovations in New Jersey are complex projects that require balancing carmaker standards with the owner’s long term business goals, code compliance and EV readiness. By engaging the design and construction team early—and leveraging their expertise in these areas, dealers can transform mandated upgrades into strategic investments that can significantly improve their facilities and operations.

Driving the Process

Renovations provide opportunities beyond compliance. Well-planned upgrades can improve the customer journey and workplace experience through features like tech lounges, natural daylighting, and flexible service reception areas. New technologies—including automated vehicle scanners can also be incorporated to streamline operations and elevate service.

While carmakers emphasize showrooms and customer-facing spaces, the service center remains the profit center. Renovations are an ideal moment to add bays, improve lighting and power/data distribution, reconfigure tool storage, or implement quick-service lanes. Phased construction strategies can minimize downtime and maintain service operations throughout the project—an essential consideration for high-volume, multi-brand dealerships.