Garden Grove : City Negotiating for 2nd Auto Center Dealership

Negotiations have begun between the city’s Redevelopment Agency and a Westminster Honda dealer to develop a new-car dealership on one of three parcels on the 10-acre Auto Center on Trask Avenue between Brookhurst and Magnolia streets.

The Auto Center, which borders the Garden Grove Freeway, already has one dealership, Toyota of Garden Grove, which has reported a dramatic increase in sales since opening its $3-million facility last year. Owner Randy Hix says the Toyota dealership is now one of the top five in sales nationwide.

The Redevelopment Agency is also negotiating with Garden City Dodge for development of the third parcel.

Officials estimate that sales at the Auto Center will eventually contribute $1 million in annual sales tax revenue to the city.

The agency postponed action on a request for an exclusive negotiating agreement for development of a Hyundai dealership on a privately owned 1.87-acre parcel just west of the Auto Center. Hyundai Corp. is a Korean car maker with U.S. headquarters in Garden Grove.