Sunset Auto Group U.S. 41 reshuffling close to final stages

The Sunset Auto Group is nearing the final phase of an extensive renovation and reshuffling of dealerships along U.S. 41 in Sarasota.

The shake up began when the dealership chain sold its Suzuki and Mitsubishi franchises. It started by renovating the interior and exterior of the former Mitsubishi dealership to serve as the new home of Sunset Subaru. It redeveloped the former Suzuki and Subaru building into a dealership for Sunset Fiat of Sarasota.

Meanwhile, for the past eight months, Sunset Auto Group has been at work renovating the Sunset Dodge Chrysler Jeep and Ram facilities at 7745 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. The company expanded and renovated the customer service waiting areas and showroom and built on a new exterior on the front of the building to meet the Chrysler brand requirements. Work is scheduled for completion in November.

While that work is under way, the Dodge Chrysler Jeep and Ram dealerships are operating from a former used-car building next door.

Next up in the renovation process is construction of a freestanding building with another seven service bays to support the Dodge Chrysler Jeep and Ram facility. That new building is scheduled for completion by the end of March.

“We have four buildings and everyone of them has been upgraded and renovated over the last 18 months,” says Don Osborne, general manager of the franchises.

The total investment for the renovations is currently set at more than $2 million.

Dealership Solutions LLC of St. Petersburg is the general contractor for the entire redevelopment project.