TAMPA, Fla. -

Automotive group HGreg.com is expanding into the Tampa Bay area, saying that the new 10-acre Brandon property will allow the company to expand its digital and onsite service offerings.

The company plans to open the location this spring, expanding service offerings to Central and West Coast Florida car buyers and to out-of-state market buyers as well.

With an investment of more than $30 million, HGreg.com has already started construction on the regional fulfilment center and storefront.

HGreg president and chief executive officer John Hairabedian said the company has for some time considered expanding into the Tampa Bay area.

“We knew the right opportunity would come to set up a good base and couldn't be more optimistic about the future,” Hairabedian said in a news release.

The new location, at 1207 E. Brandon Blvd. in Brandon, Hillsborough County, will feature a 42,000-square-foot building and showroom.

Regarding its inventory of more than 1,000 pre-owned vehicles, the company said each of those vehicles has passed HGreg's rigorous inspection program. Once a vehicle is moved to the virtual showroom, consumers gain access to vehicle-specific information and an omnichannel experience. The company said its concierge-like customer experience includes same-day delivery, contactless-purchasing and a full refund within three days or 300 miles.

“I’m incredibly proud of our culture and team,” Hairabedian said.

He also said, “We made a strategic decision, back in 2010, to put down roots in Florida and we could not have achieved this growth without the contribution of countless passionate and hard-working associates. We’re happy to continue to expand our team.”

HGreg.com is part of HGregoire, a network of 17 pre-owned and 13 Canadian and U.S. new car dealerships.

In December, the company announced the expansion of HGreg.com into the West Coast with an investment based in the Greater Los Angeles area.

Company to accept cryptocurrency

The Tampa Bay announcement comes after the company’s recent news that HGreg Group’s 30 Canadian and U.S. stores would accept cryptocurrency payments for new and pre-owned vehicle purchases.

The company will keep a portion of the revenue from sales made in cryptocurrency in this format.

Hairabedian said the company’s work to improve customers’ shopping experience inspires it to make bold decisions such as providing more variety of payment methods. Saying that it will keep the purchasing process as simple and secure as ever, HGreg has already carried out some cryptocurrency transactions to test the new process.

“We’re pleased today to be at the forefront of technology, giving our customers another payment option. We also believe it will be advantageous to keep some of our assets in cryptocurrency,” Hairabedian said.