Bellflower : New Ford Franchise to Open on Vacant Pete Ellis Site

A new Ford dealership is preparing to open on the Pete Ellis Ford site in Bellflower a year after the flamboyant auto dealer abruptly went out of business.

Ford West is hiring employees and refurbishing the 5.5-acre dealership alongside the Artesia Freeway (91) at Artesia Boulevard and Downey Road and plans to open about July 1, said Gary Premeaux, one of the three owners of the new Ford franchise. All were formerly associated with Ford and Toyota dealerships in Los Angeles.

Bellflower officials--struggling with an estimated $2.8-million budget gap--said the city hopes to receive $300,000 a year in sales tax revenues from Ford West.

Premeaux said the dealership represents a $6-million investment in facilities, equipment and inventory, and it plans to employ between 100 and 135 people. He said he and his partners hope to sell 300 new and used vehicles a month by the end of the first year.

Three months before Ellis closed, the city gave the financially troubled dealer $700,000 in grants and loans to stay open. The city is suing Ellis to recover the money.