Three auto dealerships along the stretch of Van Nuys Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley known as “Auto Row” are building larger lots, part of a national trend of consolidation and expansion that is resulting in fewer but larger automotive retailers.

Nationwide, car sales have remained relatively flat over the past few years, at about 15 million units. Meanwhile, the number of car dealerships is shrinking, from 24,700 in 1990 to 22,400 at the beginning of 1997, according to J.D. Power & Associates.

The most ambitious of the Auto Row moves is at Keyes Toyota, where an $8 million expansion includes plans to double display space and add nearly twice the number of service bays. Keyes is constructing a two-story, 70,000-square-foot building to replace its current 25,000-square-foot facility.

Miller Honda is building out its dealership on land it already owns to include the corner property one block south of Burbank Boulevard on Van Nuys. The addition will house Miller’s used-car lot, giving the retailer space for an additional 30 to 40 cars, said Mark Miller, chief operating officer of the dealership.

The $1.5 million expansion underway at Center BMW will make room for a used-car lot as well as a new-car dealership. The retailer acquired Van Nuys Chrysler/Plymouth and plans to combine it with its Jeep dealership under the name Center Chrysler/Plymouth/Jeep. Center has acquired the lease on a half-acre site adjacent to its current Jeep location to accommodate the new store.

Shelly Garcia