Posted Thursday August 19, 2010 - 7:05p.m.

By Amanda Peabody, Beverly Hills Courier

It was a night to remember for Mercedes-Benz of Beverly Hills as more than 200 guests packed the dealership for the ribbon cutting of the newly revamped showrooms Tuesday.

The $2 million renovation included an expansion of the showroom areas, adding nearly 5,000 square-feet.

“It was time to expand and time to make our showrooms in line with the Mercedes-Benz brand,” said Mercedes-Benz of Beverly Hills General Manager Bruce Schulman. “It was time to give our 20-year-old facility a facelift.”

On hand for the ribbon cutting were top executives from the Mercedes-Benz corporation including CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA Ernst Lieb; Vice President of Mercedes-Benz Financial Dietmar Exler; Vice President of Group 1 Automotive (parent company to Mercedes-Benz of Beverly Hills) Pete DeLongchamps; and Vice President of Sales of Mercedes-Benz USA Michael Slagter.

Also invited to the soiree and ribbon cutting ceremony were prominent City residents and officials, as well as VIP clients of the dealership.

“Mercedes-Benz of Beverly Hills is synonymous with the top Mercedes-Benz dealerships in the world, so when we do something everyone takes notice,” said Schulman.

The expansion, completed in July, follows a nearly $27 million renovation of the dealership’s service center.

“It’s a great investment in business in Beverly Hills,” said Tom Blumenthal, president/ CEO of Gearys. “Merchant to merchant, it’s important to support each other.”

Echoed Beverly Hills Fire Department Chief Tim Scranton: “What a great opportunity to come and see the new showroom and the new expansion. Whenever I get the opportunity to support our local businesses, I take it.”

Lieb performed the ribbon cutting, calling the Beverly Hills dealership one of the brands’ best.

“(Mercedes-Benz’s) quality has never been better. We are amongst the ten best companies right now and that comes down to the relationships we have with our dealers. The relationship we have with Mercedes-Benz of Beverly Hills is probably one of the best,” said Lieb.

–apeabody@bhcourier.com