DAYTONA BEACH – Mercedes-Benz of Daytona Beach is set to move to a new, larger location at the Daytona International Auto Mall, signaling a significant upgrade for the dealership and enhanced convenience for its clientele. The dealership, currently situated on Mason Avenue, was acquired last Wednesday by Gary Yeomans, a prominent local auto dealer, in partnership with Automotive Management Services Inc., based in West Palm Beach. The transaction amount remains undisclosed.
Gary Yeomans, who already operates the Ford Lincoln Mercury Mazda dealership within the Auto Mall, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition. “We see tremendous potential at the Auto Mall, and Mercedes-Benz is a premier brand that perfectly complements our vision,” Yeomans stated in a recent interview.
The future home of the Daytona Beach Mercedes-Benz dealer is slated for a five-acre plot of land within the Auto Mall, strategically positioned south of the Fields BMW dealership at 1220 N. Tomoka Farms Road. Construction of the state-of-the-art facility is expected to take approximately a year, with occupancy targeted for early next year.
Alt: Current Daytona Beach Mercedes-Benz dealership building on Mason Avenue, soon to be relocated to Daytona International Auto Mall.
“The Auto Mall location offers superior visibility and accessibility for our Mercedes-Benz customers,” Yeomans elaborated. “Many customers are not even aware of the current dealership’s location. This move will significantly enhance convenience and brand recognition.”
The relocation promises not only a more accessible location but also considerable expansion. Yeomans confirmed that all 40 current employees of the Daytona Beach Mercedes-Benz dealer will be retained, with plans to add a further 20 to 30 positions at the new facility.
The new dealership will be designed with an emphasis on customer experience, featuring upgraded amenities such as a dedicated children’s play area, customer workstations equipped with computers, and an on-site café. Crucially, the inventory will be tripled, offering a much wider selection of Mercedes-Benz vehicles to prospective buyers in the Daytona Beach area.
Alt: Entrance to Daytona International Auto Mall, the future location of the Daytona Beach Mercedes-Benz dealership, highlighting improved accessibility and customer convenience.
Yeomans has already taken a hands-on approach, establishing his office at the Mason Avenue dealership to oversee the transition and implement immediate service improvements. These enhancements include increasing the number of loaner cars available to service customers from nine to 24. Furthermore, a car hauler service is planned to provide customers with convenient vehicle pick-up and delivery for service appointments.
Claude Gardner, a local real estate expert at Prudential Commercial Real Estate in Daytona Beach, views the Mercedes-Benz dealership’s move as part of a broader trend of commercial growth in the city’s northwest sector. He cited developments like the Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center campus near Williamson Boulevard and LPGA Boulevard, industrial and warehousing facilities along Mason Avenue west of Williamson, the new Holiday Inn Express near the Auto Mall, and the Parker Boats and Furniture Row stores in the vicinity as evidence of this shift.
“Daytona Beach’s development is clearly expanding towards the northwest,” Gardner noted. “The Mercedes-Benz dealership’s move to the Auto Mall further solidifies this trend.”
While the current Mason Avenue location will be vacated, Gardner anticipates strong interest in the property. He suggests potential uses ranging from manufacturing to retail, such as a furniture store, given the location’s commercial appeal.
Daytona Beach Mayor Glenn Ritchey, a fellow auto dealer with dealerships along Nova Road, expressed a positive outlook on the move. “As a competitor, I believe this relocation to the Auto Mall is a positive step for the automotive business in our area,” Ritchey commented. “It demonstrates confidence in the long-term strength of the automotive market in Daytona Beach and the willingness to invest in its future.”
The relocation of the Daytona Beach Mercedes-Benz dealer to the Daytona International Auto Mall is poised to create a premier destination for luxury car buyers and service clients in the region, offering an enhanced experience and a wider selection of vehicles and services.
