Volkswagen Group of America has begun delivering vehicles through a port of entry in northern California that's expected to improve vehicle delivery times in the area, the company announced.

The company has opened a $1.3 million investment in a facility at the Port of Benicia, a privately operated port at the head of San Francisco Bay that's owned by APS West Coast, Inc. AMPORTS, a leader in the vehicle processing industry, operates the terminal facilities.

Volkswagen's facility will support 81 Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, and Porsche dealers in northern California. The company is creating 38 new jobs.

Volkswagen-branded vehicles imported through the facility include the long wheelbase 2018 Tiguan, e-Golf, 2019 Jetta compact sedan, and 2019 Arteon four-door coupe that debuted in February. Audi vehicles imported will include the A4, A5 Sportback, Audi Q5, and Audi Q7.

"In utilizing the Port of Benicia, we will be able to bring Audi, Bentley and Volkswagen products closer to our California customers and provide enhanced customer service in this key market," said Anu Goel, Volkswagen's executive vice president for after sales and services.

The 645-acre facility provides 140,000 square feet of vehicle processing facilities, and is expected to process 42,000 vehicles in its first year and 220,000 vehicles over the next five years.

The company has been operating a distribution facility at the Port of San Diego since 1990 that supports more than 160 Volkswagen and Audi dealers in the western U.S.