SAN JOSE — A world-famous automotive company has set up shop at Santana Row in San Jose, a mixed-use neighborhood that has been on a hot streak lately when it comes to attracting tenants.
Porsche Cars North America has opened its first Porsche NOW store in the United States with a retail outlet at Santana Row, a destination hub of restaurants, shops, offices, housing, entertainment sites and hotel rooms.
Porsche NOW is a new luxury vehicle sales concept that enables visitors to interact with the Porsche car brand.
The new San Jose Porsche NOW store, which had a soft opening on Tuesday, is described as a pop-up location. The store is located at 355 Santana Row near the Hotel Valencia.
“With Porsche NOW we saw an opportunity to inspire new and existing customers in the middle of a thriving, busy area of San Jose populated by restaurants and stores, making it more convenient for them and allowing us the creative freedom to showcase our incredible new cars,” said Porsche Cars North America Chief Operating Officer John Cappella.
Inside, the pop-ups feature a configuration lounge and an electrified Porsche vehicle.
The store also plans curated events such as culinary experiences.
Customers will also be able to interact with the vehicles and store experts. The vehicles on display would be a Macan Electric or Taycan.
Porsche Stevens Creek, which in turn is owned by Penske Automotive Group, owns the new Porsche NOW store.
The new Porsche NOW store in San Jose has five employees. That meets the store’s staffing needs, Porsche Stevens Creek said.
A second location for Porsche NOW is being planned for the Orange County city of Laguna Beach, with an opening date slated for December.
The official opening date of the San Jose store wasn’t immediately known.
“By combining elements of the local community and Porsche’s heritage, we were able to introduce a new perspective that enhances the customer experience beyond the vehicles,” Cappella said.