Chrysler Dealer Becomes First in the Nation to Achieve Esteemed Environmental Award
17 July 2007 - 3:30AM
PR Newswire (US)
- Miami's Tamiami Automotive Group to be nation's first-ever LEED
'Gold Certified' automobile dealership - New facility to be
developed on former Superfund site - Chrysler announces plans to
develop an incentive program for dealers interested in
environmentally-friendly building MIAMI, July 16
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ground was broken today for a facility
that, when completed, will be the most environmentally-friendly
automobile dealership in the country. The Tamiami Automotive Group
announced plans to relocate and expand to a building that will
achieve the prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED) "Gold Certification." The LEED Green Building Rating
System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design,
construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. It
was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, a 10,000-member
non-profit building trade organization, which has developed the
LEED system to promote a whole-building approach to sustainability.
LEED recognizes performance in five key areas of human and
environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings,
energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental
quality. In conjunction with the event, Chrysler announced plans to
give other dealers in their network incentives to pursue LEED
certification. "We are proud of the way that Carlos Planas and his
team at Tamiami have embraced their environmentalism," said Steven
Landry, Executive Vice President -- NAFTA Sales, Global Marketing,
Service and Parts for Chrysler. "This dealership has set the bar
for environmentally-friendly dealers, and will be a model for other
dealerships in our network. We are pleased to announce plans to
provide support for other dealers interested in building green to
achieve their goals and enhance their communities." The Chrysler
program will give support to dealers interested in obtaining LEED
certification in their efforts in everything from design and
materials choices to landscaping and energy management systems.
Specific examples of sustainable design principles would include:
-- Selecting paints, sealants and adhesives with low VOC (volatile
organic compound). -- Using heating and air conditioning components
which avoid HCFC refrigerants. -- Increasing the thermals values of
the exterior, including high performance glass. -- Providing energy
management and monitoring systems. -- And harvesting storm water
run-off for landscape irrigation. Many of Chrysler's facilities
already use several of these concepts. The program would also give
recognition to dealers who are leaders in environmental activism.
The new Miami-area 18-acre location is a former Superfund site that
previously was home to a lumber yard. Upon completion, the new
400,000 square- foot facility will be the most
environmentally-friendly auto dealership in the country, with
numerous water conservation and energy management systems, and a
design that relies on natural light rather than artificial. "We are
reusing land that was contaminated and revitalizing it to build an
eco-friendly structure that cooperates with the environment," said
Carlos Planas, Chairman of Tamiami Automotive Group. "We owe it to
our children and grandchildren to do everything possible to
conserve our environment. We view this as a must, and encourage
others to do the same." Chrysler is dedicated to protecting the
health of its communities, natural resources and the global
environment. The company addresses environmental challenges by
working continuously to improve the environmental performance of
its products and operations. The company supports the development
of advanced sustainable technologies and is an industry leader in
promoting the use of alternative fuels. DATASOURCE: Chrysler Group
CONTACT: Katie Zuchowski, +1-248-512-2927 (office), +1-248-890-8423
(cell), , or Max Gates, +1-248-512-2688 (office), +1-248-835-6272
(cell), , both of Chrysler Group Web site:
http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/
Copyright