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Local Dealerships Breeze Through Restructuring
Local Dealerships Breeze Through RestructuringBy Karen Henderson
After riding under closing threats from GMC and Chrysler, Warrenton’s automobile dealers appear to be safe, at least for the time being.
Last week, following Chrysler’s announcement that it was filing bankruptcy under Chapter 11, the company began restructuring. That included plans to close several plants along with nearly 800 dealerships across the country.
Kevin Myers, general manager at Safford Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge of Warrenton, said that none of Safford’s three locations (Fredericksburg, Springfield, Warrenton) were affected by the cuts. “Safford is here and we plan to stay here,” he said
The GM dealers in town were also unaffected. GM measured dealer viability through four measures: profitability, customer satisfaction, sales effectiveness, and capitalization.
Jim Harris, of Jim Harris Buick – Pontiac – GMC, said there was always a little concern over the decisions coming down from corporate headquarters about whether his business would be affected, even though the company had risen above the challenges the bad economy had offered. Harris has not laid off any employees due to the tough times, and points to the fact that some of his employees have been with him since he started the dealership 18 years ago.
Last Friday, he fielded more than 200 phone calls from concerned customers and friends who expressed their support for the company. “We were pretty positive we were not on the list, but we never say never — that it can never happen to us," Harris said. "We have a great incentive to stay. We love Warrenton, we love the people, and this is our home. “
Andy Budd of Country Chevrolet said that he remains confident in Country’s ability to stay in business, and that he agrees in principle with the GM restructuring plan.
He said that Country has continued to do good business, with an expansion into Internet sales and marketing, even during the recession. Country Chevrolet actually has two immediate sales job openings and has plans to purchase Summit Motors across the street, which would bring his used car outlets in Warrenton to four.
In seven of the past 10 years, Country Chevrolet has donated cars to both the Liberty and Fauquier High School proms, and remains active in the community as a good corporate citizen. “In spite of the economy, the community has been good to us, and we plan to continue to be good back to it,” Budd said.
There is an old axiom in science: “The only constant in the universe is change.” At this time, as far as car dealers go, it appears Warrenton doesn’t have to.
Henderson is executive director of the Fauquier Chamber of Commerce.
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