ATLANTA -

Porsche Cars North America says it’s building a new headquarters, but it’s not leaving Atlanta, the city it has called home for 13 years.

The automaker indicated its new complex will be located in the Aerotropolis Atlanta development site, near the new international terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The company highlighted its new facility will be comprised of modern office facilities for a work force that will eventually number 400 employees. Site plans also contain a technical service and training center, as well as a leading-edge customer experience center that will feature a handling road course to show-off the capabilities of Porsche’s vehicles.

Officials stated a groundbreaking is planned for this fall with the move-in date scheduled for the second half of 2013.

“The unparalleled nature of the Porsche ownership experience absolutely deserves an equally unique home. That is what we’ll create with our new headquarters — a concept completely new to the U.S. automotive industry, and one that delivers our brand and product experience to our employees, dealers and customers alike,” noted Detlev von Platen, president and chief executive officer of Porsche Cars North America.

“Our new American headquarters will allow us to finally bring together all our major sales, after sales and financial services capacities, thus making us an even stronger organization. It also sends a strong message to our dealers and our customers that we believe in the strength of the U.S. market and its future growth,” von Platen explained.

“At the same time, this decision demonstrates our commitment to the state of Georgia and the city of Atlanta to remain a vital part of this vibrant region,” he added.

Porsche pointed out its decision to stay in Atlanta was the result of a thorough search and evaluation process that took more than a year and spanned metropolitan Atlanta and several out-of-state sites.

Officials mentioned the new headquarters will not only be home to PCNA, but also to Porsche Financial Services and Porsche Business Services, which are both currently located in Lisle, Ill.

They added that other Porsche businesses will also be included in hopes of building a solid foundation for further expansion of Porsche’s largest market worldwide.

“We welcome the entire Porsche team to Atlanta’s newest corporate center, the innovative Aerotropolis complex,” declared Kasim Reed, the mayor of Atlanta.

“Porsche’s decision to reinforce its roots and grow its next-generation U.S. headquarters here is a testament to the vitality and vibrancy of our city and an exciting addition to the many iconic brands that also call Atlanta home,” Reed continued.

“The Porsche crest will be a perfect welcome sign to greet the hundreds of thousands of visitors and guests that land each day at the world’s busiest airport in Atlanta,” Reed added.

Also reacting to the automaker decision was Gov. Nathan Deal, who chimed in with, “There’s no better place to live, work and play than Georgia.

“As a 13-year corporate citizen of our great state, Georgia-based Porsche employees already know that once you have ‘Georgia on Your Mind’ it is impossible to let go,” Deal went on to say. “Now we look forward to extending our famous Southern hospitality to the entire Porsche team and to adding an incredible new destination to Georgia’s list of ‘must-see’ places.”

Porsche calculated that it finished last year with a 33-percent rise in sales, moving more than 25,000 units.

“With its new headquarters, a dedicated, passionate employee and dealer body, and a strong line-up of iconic sports cars, a brand new generation of Cayenne SUVs and the latest addition to the brand, the Panamera Gran Turismo, Porsche is poised for continued success in the United States,” company officials concluded.