Fairfield Ford on track for early opening

By Sarah de Crescenzo | Daily Republic | September 19, 2010 22:20

FAIRFIELD - The first of two anticipated local dealerships will open ahead of schedule this week with Fairfield Ford in the Fairfield Auto Plaza.

Friday is the date for the reopening of the business, which closed nearly two years ago, by the Price Simms Dealer group.

Adam Simms, co-owner with partner Tom Price, plans to oversee the day-to-day operations in Fairfield, serving Ford customers who have been without a local service and sales presence since the 2008 shutdown, he said.

'We're in the process of hiring around 150 new employees and we're going through training on computer systems, processes for the company and cultural orientation,' Simms said. 'We're also in the process of building up our inventory both on the new and used cars side....

'There are 13,000 Ford owners who have had to travel outside of the area to get service done,' Simms said. 'We're looking forward to providing a location for convenient service in the area.'

Work begins this week on the second dealership Price Simms plans to open: a new Mercedez-Benz dealership, also in the Auto Plaza.

Simms expects to hire 100 employees for that location.