O’Brien Auto Group, the largest auto dealer in the Pacific Northwest, is capping off a year of major growth and expansion with the opening of a new Volkswagen dealership in Kirkland this weekend, company officials announced today.

The company first announced the new dealership in October.

The opening marks the fourth new dealership added by the company in 2012.

“The opening of our new Volkswagen of Kirkland is a great way to start the year strong,” said Michael P. O’Brien, owner of O’Brien Auto Group. “Kirkland’s not only a great community but a major hub for area car buyers. We’re pleased to increase our presence here and to serve the community moving forward.”

During its first year in business, Volkswagen of Kirkland will operate out of a temporary facility located at 13210 N.E. 124th St., a site that was previously home to Graham Steel. In June of 2014, the dealership will then move to a permanent location just a few blocks away at 12612 N.E. 124th St., the current home of Toyota of Kirkland.

Just prior to the Volkswagen dealership’s move to a permanent facility, Toyota of Kirkland will relocate to a brand new, $16 million dealership that O’Brien will begin construction on in the first quarter of 2013. The new Toyota dealership will also be located on the old Graham Steel site. Once completed, it will be three times the size of current location, feature a more expansive showroom, the area’s largest inventory of new and used Toyotas, more service bays, an extensive parts department and a fleet of loaner cars.

The announcements cap a strong year of growth.

“2012 was a strong year for the auto industry and our dealerships in particular,” said O’Brien. “Sales have finally returned to pre-recession levels and are gaining momentum as we head in to 2013. We’re proud to be in a position to grow our business while, at the same time, creating hundreds of new jobs for the local communities we serve.”

O’Brien’s growth has been steady and consistent throughout the year with the acquisition of Bob Bridge Toyota in the first quarter, the opening of Fiat of Seattle in the third quarter and the announcement of a new Honda of Marysville and Volkswagen of Kirkland in the fourth quarter. Additionally, the company has announced plans to build a new $16 million dealership for its existing Toyota of Kirkland.

“We’re forecasting year-over-year sales to increase from approximately $500 million in 2011 to more than $575 million in 2012,” said O’Brien. “With the addition of our new dealerships we expect sales to increase at an even greater pace in 2013 – reaching $675 million.”