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Dude, where did all the dealerships go?

650 messages,  Last post on Nov 08, 2009 at 5:47 PM

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#141 of 650 Re: Another casualty... [nippononly] by andre1969 Jan 28, 2009 (10:02 am)
Replying to: nippononly (Jan 28, 2009 9:52 am) I just went to their website, www.sheehy.com, and I notice that Chrysler/Jeep is now showing up at their Upper Marlboro MD location, along with Dodge. So I wonder if they're ditching Chevy in order to make the whole complex Mopar? Replies to this message: nippononly (Jan 28, 2009 12:59 pm)
#142 of 650 Re: Another casualty... [andre1969] by nippononly Jan 28, 2009 (12:59 pm)
Replying to: andre1969 (Jan 28, 2009 10:02 am) Hmm, it's a much better bet to put your money on Jeep than it is to put it on Dodge right now, I would think. But personally, I wouldn't bet on either of them (or any GM brands) for the next 12 months.
#143 of 650 The news says by nippononly Jan 28, 2009 (9:21 pm)
the head of NADA said yesterday that just under 1000 dealerships went out of business in the U.S. in 2008, costing around 50,000 people their jobs, and they expect close to 1200 dealerships to close in 2009.   Replies to this message: boaz47 (Jan 29, 2009 9:34 am)
#144 of 650 Re: The news says [nippononly] by boaz47 Jan 29, 2009 (9:34 am)
Replying to: nippononly (Jan 28, 2009 9:21 pm) Maybe we can turn some of those old car lots into skate board parks? Our city could use a Bicycle Velodrome
#145 of 650 turns out by nippononly Jan 30, 2009 (8:03 am)
the final number is 936 dealers out of business in 2008.   It's a hard business to be in these days:   Hard times have dealers crying: Cut!   As vehicle sales and dealership profitability remain depressed, dealers say they are trimming every expense that doesn't directly generate income. From employee health insurance to showroom thermostat settings to season tickets to the local NFL team's games, they insist, nothing is off limits.   I am of two minds here - some of the things mentioned being cut (like season sports tickets and company boxes) are pure luxuries, others like employee health insurance are not:   Belt-tightening 101 These are some of the ways dealers say they are cutting costs. • Reducing or eliminating their own salaries and those of other top managers • Deferring maintenance and capital improvements • Shortening operating hours • Requiring employees to pay a larger share of health insurance costs • Eliminating the company match for employee 401(k) retirement plans • Reducing spending on employee training, uniforms, company cars and travel • Assigning employees to do work formerly done by outside contractors, such as janitorial and lawn care services • Suspending charitable contributions • Combining central office functions of several dealerships   http://www.autonews.com/article/20090126/ANA06/901260373/1114 (registration link)   It also mentions some dealers buying only quick-turning new models for their lots, rather than ones that might take longer. Of course, the manufacturers are taking widely varying stances with response to that type of system right now. While Ford and Chrysler are taking the attitude that they can be patient until things turn around, GM is pushing dealers out of business at an increased rate. It will now begin penalizing them more (via GMAC) for older new cars that have been on their lot for a long period of time.   If I were thinking of opening a business today, this wouldn't be the type. Replies to this message: gagrice (Jan 30, 2009 8:37 pm)
#146 of 650 Re: turns out [nippononly] by gagrice Jan 30, 2009 (8:37 pm)
Replying to: nippononly (Jan 30, 2009 8:03 am) You would have to be a total lunatic to open ANY kind of business in CA that is not owner operated for CASH only. That is the competition with illegals and legals. Whether it is a contractor or taco shop. Contractor friends are bidding jobs at 50% of a year ago and still losing them. You cannot compete against a guy living in a canyon eating squirrel and whatever he finds in the dumpster behind the supermarket.
#147 of 650 Speaking of rural dealers.... by carthell Feb 16, 2009 (7:52 pm)
Another dealer group went "boom" today, and it appears to be one of the largest dealers in rural Maryland: Bob Smith Chevrolet-Cadillac-Pontiac-GMC-Buick, a.k.a. "GM Giant."   Wow. Apparently NONE of the marques could save the dealer. Local news reports says that the dealer owed $12 million in loans to GMAC. 200 jobs were lost. At least the GMC service department in Federalsburg will operate, for now.   Ref: "http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/easternshore/bal-dealerships0213,0,56043- 16.story".   330 vehicles were confiscated. Who's going to buy them? Replies to this message: gagrice (Feb 16, 2009 8:17 pm)
#148 of 650 Re: Speaking of rural dealers.... [carthell] by gagrice Feb 16, 2009 (8:17 pm)
Replying to: carthell (Feb 16, 2009 7:52 pm) 330 vehicles were confiscated. Who's going to buy them?   They will become part of the liquidation when GM finally files for bankruptcy. Buying a GM car now is sooooo risky. Unless you pay next to nothing and hope to be able to find parts in 5 years. If GM folds the only parts will be aftermarket. And they will be scarce. We have lost many jobs here at local dealerships. Most are like ghost towns when you go in.
#149 of 650 my neighbor up the street... by explorerx4 Feb 21, 2009 (3:20 pm)
just told me the chevy dealer about a mile away just closed down. they just moved to a new location about 2 years ago. my mother just bought new tires for her car there last week!
#150 of 650 I went up the road yesterday by bumpy Feb 22, 2009 (6:02 am)
... about 45 minutes to a town that had one dealer for each of the Indebted 3. The Chevy dealer had closed a few months ago, the Dodge dealer looked to be in good shape, and the Ford dealer looked like it was winding down: about a dozen new vehicles total, none of them trucks.

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