New Mercedes-Benz dealership coming to Tampa

TAMPA — Mercedes-Benz has awarded AutoNation a new franchise for the Tampa market, the car-sales company says in a statement.

The new Mercedes-Benz store, which will be constructed by AutoNation, is slated to open in 2014, the statement says. The location of the store has not been disclosed.

The location will be AutoNation's 18th Mercedes-Benz franchise in the U.S., but its first in the area.

“We are pleased to expand our Mercedes-Benz representation by adding a new franchise in a key market where we don't currently represent Mercedes-Benz,” says Mike Jackson, AutoNation CEO and chairman, in the statement.

The Fort Lauderdale company (symbol: AN; recent price: $45.30) has dealerships across the country and says it sells about 11% of all Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the United States.