Ford dealerships to combine at North Kalispell location

One of 12 lots opening up on more than 80 acres of land on Highway 93 north of Kalispell has been claimed by the Kalispell Ford and Whitefish Ford car dealerships.

In October of last year, Gerrid Gandrud, owner of the Kalispell Toyota, Whitefish Ford VW and Kalispell Ford, had been exploring the idea of a larger facility to consolidate the two Ford dealerships — currently located on East Idaho Street in Kalispell and U.S. 93 in Whitefish.

“When we’re looking at it, Kalispell Ford and Whitefish, it makes the most sense to have one building,” Gandrud said. “... If you look at the major markets in Montana, Bozeman has one Ford store, Missoula has one Ford store … we’re one of the last ones that has more than one.”

Earlier this month, the dealership submitted plans for a new store at the site of the planned North Town Center. Designs call for a two story, 52,000-square-foot building valued at $8.4 million.

“We have a style we’re going for,” Gandrud said, noting that the new building will feature Ford’s Trustmark design.

Gandrud said work on the new Ford building should begin in mid-April. He hopes to open the new location in November.

Construction will then begin on the current Kalispell Ford building, which will be remodeled as a new Volkswagen location. At this time, Gandrud said he is uncertain of what will be done with the current Whitefish VW Ford facility.

Development work on the new Kalispell North Town Center began earlier this year, and Roger and Jeff Claridge, owners and developers of the land, are currently in the process of clearing the land. Of the 12 lots, 11 will be designated for commercial purposes and one is planned to become a multifamily residence.

The North Town Center had appeal for a number of reasons that led to it becoming the location of the new Ford dealership, Gandrud said, adding that a location that is between both Kalispell and Whitefish will offer a great way for the single facility to continue serving the clients of the two former properties.

“We need a location that works for A. us and B. Ford,” Gandrud said.

The proposed road designs and layout of the town center are an added bonus, he said.

“People are going to be test driving cars and they need a safe place to drive, we’re going to be receiving shipments so we needed highway access, and we’ll have people coming in for service appointments … the stoplight is pretty important,” Gandrud said, referencing a stoplight that will be put in at Rose Crossing, which currently ends at Whitefish Stage Road, but will be extended to U.S. 93 as one of two access roads.

The new Ford location will be on 10 acres and have a capacity of about 400 vehicles, Gandrud said, which is a little more than the current capacity of the two dealerships.

“It will definitely be additional space,” he said.

Gandrud added that the Kalispell Ford, which sits on 4 acres, stands to benefit the most from the new location, as the layout of the Kalispell store poses challenges for display capacity.

The service department will also be getting an upgrade, Gandrud said.

Between the two locations, the dealership currently has 17 service bays. The new location will have 24 bays and an added section for larger vehicles, such as RVs. The service area will also feature two quick pit stations, where technicians can work on vehicles from a lower level, rather than having to hoist vehicles up.

Customers will be able to drive their vehicles directly inside to the service area, which will have room for eight to 10 cars, Gandrud said.

The Ford Trustmark design also incorporates a larger indoor space to display and store cars. The new store will be adding two indoor car delivery bays, and an exterior overhang that can fit up to seven cars.

“If there is weather and someone is coming to pick up their new car, they won’t have to do it outside,” Gandrud said.

The waiting area will also feature a new design, offering the Ford Trustmark design’s technology package, which Gandrud describes as more of a “coffee shop setting,” with small tables and wifi, and a charging-station style bar with plugins.

Reporter Alyssa Gray may be reached at 758-4433 or by email at agray@dailyinterlake.com.