Metro Ford in Calgary is automaker's 1st store on Indigenous land

Ford of Canada and Calgary’s Metro Ford marked a landmark event earlier this month with the grand opening of the automaker’s first franchised dealership on Indigenous land.

The 80,100-square-foot (7,400-square-metre) “Signature” design structure built on 8.5 acres (3.5 hectares) is an anchor for the Taza Park business development on the Tsuut’ina nation on Calgary’s western outskirts. Ford of Canada President Bev Goodman, on hand for the July 15 event, said it’s the first Ford dealership on native land in Canada and “to my knowledge” is the largest dealership in the country “right now.”

Dealer Principal Reg Pattemore says Metro is the first Model E Elite dealership in Calgary and has just been awarded a medium duty Super Duty F650 and F750 franchise.

The 44-bay service area includes six heavy-duty hoists rated between 20,000 and 30,000 pounds capable of handling large trucks, 26 hoists rated at 12,000 pounds and four in-ground hoists for electric vehicle service.

There are an additional seven wash bays and a “flex” bay.

Pattemore says there are three level two chargers with three level three DC charges on order from Ford with delivery in the third quarter.

“We currently handle Mach E and Lightning and we are prepared for the expansion of Ford’s electric fleet.”

The front of the building features a 5,000 square-foot (464-square metre) showroom with reception area and flanked by a row of sales offices.

The showroom opens onto a spacious customer waiting area which is dominated by a stunning mural painted by noted Tsuut’ina artist Keegan Starlight who also designed the dealership’s new “Thunderbird” logo.

Pattemore said he’s particularly proud of Starlight’s work, adding that the mural is a step outside the box for Ford’s Signature design parameters and “we had to go through a number of steps to get approval from Dearborn.”

Goodman said the company always “works to understand a dealer’s market and we’re thrilled this has happened and we’re very proud to have Reg as a partner and thankful to the Tsuut’ina nation.”

Metro Ford has been a partner for 60 years “and we’re looking forward to another 60 years.”