Dealership Closure List? Do we have one yet?

[Parker]

Thanks for the reply. I know they aren't shutting the doors and pulling the plug at the end of the month, but a local dealer did close early in the year and was wondering what happened if somebody ordered a car there.

[DkknightX]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

well -- as you know, my family has owned a few Chevy dealerships over the years -- and my cousin still runs one......


I can tell you that I've not slept in a couple of weeks -- this is a gut wrenching thing to watch -- believe me -- it's been HORRIBLE.............


Here's the problem:


In 1970 (when Honda built motorcycles, Datsun was Nissan, Toyotas sold cars in California and that was about it, (and foreign cars' interiors would deteriorate right on the lots...)...the Big Three were Chevy, Ford, and Plymouth, --and Americans still bought American cars and were proud to do so........we had the right number of dealers in the right locations.

Then the world changed.


I can think of one area in the country where there are 20+ Chevy dealers -- and 7 Toyota Dealers -- and Toyota outsells Chevy 3 to one.

That means the Toyota dealer is probably making some serious money....and it also means that most of the Chevy dealers are either losing money -- and have for some time - or are making very little money.........

That's a bad thing.

I remember a dealer saying to me one time: "If you have 50 head of cattle and enough food for 30 -- do you try to feed all 50 and watch them all get diseased and die? -- OR -- do you slaughter 20 and keep 30 healthy ones?"

.........see where this is going?


The really sad part? (and this is going to get a few people going.....)

WHEN did it become fashionable for Americans to hate America? And when did it become fashionable for Americans to buy from countries that would not lift a finger to help us in bad times? And where did the thought come from that a service industry can create untold wealth? (.......there is less and less industry and production in this country and it scares the HELL out of me...)

Sorry guys and gals -- but the past few months have been a living hell for a lot of people -- and I guess I look back at how America pulled together during the first world war and the second world war - and people made HUGE sacrifices so that we would be victorious -- and let's face it -- we've become all about "Me-me-me" rather than 'We-we-we" -- and what you see happening to GM and Chrysler and Ford is only the beginning if we don't soon wake up!

The problem is that it became fashionable for Americans to "dislike" the American car buying experience because of what these franchise dealerships had done. Not all of them, but most reports state that the consumer buying experience in general was horrific and detestable. Dealerships like Toyota took control of the impulse to insult a vulnerable America and use it as an instrument to their benefit. My wife bought two Toyotas and as I was a witness, the experience was accomodating, interesting and not nearly as highly pressurized as purchasing a Chevrolet from D&C Chevrolet that is now thankfully went defunct as early as 2006 and finally vanished.

The smaller dealership issues have the additional disadvantage of not being viable because of their size, but the other GM dealerships on high were riddled with devious, greedy people in high positions, using good people to run their dealerships into the ground. The charities, the benefits, the close "family" ties among employees are all special, but as long as GM did not utilize their human resource stratagies properly; screen new employees even at the dealership level, then what else could you expect? Do you think those employees that had self-serving motives gave a damn about those at the dealerships that cared about a co-workers' family and friends? Precautions should have been taken before things got to this point.

The changes in the front office needed to have a direct affect on the dealerships down the line. The example was clearly not set and Toyota raised not only the expectations for GM, but for all American car companies. For years I've struggled internally with buying new GM cars because I'm tired of walking around with a target on my wallet. Why does Chevrolet make me feel this way and not Toyota? If my heart were not set on this vehicle, I would probably bite the bullet and buy Eastern European cars and settle with a car manufacturer in the middle somewhere. This GM vs. Japanese car war is really old and I'm tired of it.

[bobby35ny]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

The really sad part? (and this is going to get a few people going.....)

WHEN did it become fashionable for Americans to hate America? And when did it become fashionable for Americans to buy from countries that would not lift a finger to help us in bad times? And where did the thought come from that a service industry can create untold wealth? (.......there is less and less industry and production in this country and it scares the HELL out of me...)

Sorry guys and gals -- but the past few months have been a living hell for a lot of people -- and I guess I look back at how America pulled together during the first world war and the second world war - and people made HUGE sacrifices so that we would be victorious -- and let's face it -- we've become all about "Me-me-me" rather than 'We-we-we" -- and what you see happening to GM and Chrysler and Ford is only the beginning if we don't soon wake up!

Tsk Tsk.....

When is GM going to have all it's componets built here in America?
More and more of GM's parts are built NOT in America.
I know, it's cheaper to mfg a power window switch in china rather than here.

Thats the sad part, we need to cut costs HERE to match China, we all know that can't happen...:(

=bobby

[fastball]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

well -- as you know, my family has owned a few Chevy dealerships over the years -- and my cousin still runs one......


I can tell you that I've not slept in a couple of weeks -- this is a gut wrenching thing to watch -- believe me -- it's been HORRIBLE.............


Here's the problem:


In 1970 (when Honda built motorcycles, Datsun was Nissan, Toyotas sold cars in California and that was about it, (and foreign cars' interiors would deteriorate right on the lots...)...the Big Three were Chevy, Ford, and Plymouth, --and Americans still bought American cars and were proud to do so........we had the right number of dealers in the right locations.

Then the world changed.


I can think of one area in the country where there are 20+ Chevy dealers -- and 7 Toyota Dealers -- and Toyota outsells Chevy 3 to one.

That means the Toyota dealer is probably making some serious money....and it also means that most of the Chevy dealers are either losing money -- and have for some time - or are making very little money.........

That's a bad thing.

I remember a dealer saying to me one time: "If you have 50 head of cattle and enough food for 30 -- do you try to feed all 50 and watch them all get diseased and die? -- OR -- do you slaughter 20 and keep 30 healthy ones?"

.........see where this is going?


The really sad part? (and this is going to get a few people going.....)

WHEN did it become fashionable for Americans to hate America? And when did it become fashionable for Americans to buy from countries that would not lift a finger to help us in bad times? And where did the thought come from that a service industry can create untold wealth? (.......there is less and less industry and production in this country and it scares the HELL out of me...)

Sorry guys and gals -- but the past few months have been a living hell for a lot of people -- and I guess I look back at how America pulled together during the first world war and the second world war - and people made HUGE sacrifices so that we would be victorious -- and let's face it -- we've become all about "Me-me-me" rather than 'We-we-we" -- and what you see happening to GM and Chrysler and Ford is only the beginning if we don't soon wake up!

Now Scott, you've even admitted this yourself....... GM (and Ford, and Chrysler) made some serious management and product mistakes in the 1970's and 1980's that soured even the most patriotic Americans.

It is unfortunate but true...... American car companies are now paying for mistakes that they made 30 years ago that should have been taken care of 30 years ago. The state they are in today is not just a factor of the economy. You cannot blame people who swore of American cars forever after their one time experience with a Chevy Vega or Citation or (in my personal case) a 1990 Chevy Beretta with that great paint job.

Only because I pay attention to the details of how GM products are made now am I buying a Camaro, but if I didn't pay attention, you better believe my next car would be another Honda. GM still does a horrible - ABSOLUTELY horrible - job of marketing their cars. Their ads and salesmen still insist on touting price instead of product refinement and technology. I have yet to see Bob Lutz make an ad admitting to the garbage GM made in the 1970's and the great stuff they make today. Seriously, get the PR department's heads out of their collective asses and advertise the PRODUCT!!!!! I've been screaming for years that GM needs to take a page out of Lee Iacocca's book and have Lutz do some personal ads showing the product and talking about ONLY the product and not price. Get personal with the American car buyer. Appeal to their emotions. Hell, get Fritz to go on the air and Americans where their allegience lies if they have a Honda or Toyota in the driveway right now. It's not enough to have great scores on JD Powers and whatnot..... your average car buyer thinks GM = junk without even walking into a showroom.

Only GM can change this public perception. And I do not see near enough of the right amount of PR. The average American car buyer does not visit websites like this one. They aren't enthusiasts. They couldn't tell you the difference between a radio and a cam shaft. It is GM's responsibility to get into their head that their stuff is just as good or BETTER than Toyota and Honda.

You can have the funniest joke in the world, but if you tell it wrong it won't get a single laugh.

You can make the best products in the world, but if you don't market them correctly, you won't sell.

[Vash]

I would rather have a strong smaller Chevrolet than a large one that's bleeding money.

It's like the movie stripes. Building a Lean mean, fighting machine.

Still think they need to merge GMC into Chevrolet. Time to end the multibranding and build two strong houses. Chevy for most models and Caddy for the Lux. With only a few models but all damn good ones.

That GMC grill look is not worth a whole entire brand name...

[3 SS's]

Originally Posted by Vash

Still think they need to merge GMC into Chevrolet. Time to end the multibranding and build two strong houses. Chevy for most models and Caddy for the Lux. With only a few models but all damn good ones.

That GMC grill look is not worth a whole entire brand name...

[USAFJeeper]

I hear you Fbod. When my wife was looking to replace her Intrepid this year, I literally forced her on to Chevy and Chrysler/Dodge lots. We now drive a 2009 Chrysler Sebring (a car we are very happy with, who knew you needed heated leather seats in Middle Georgia!) I got her away from Mazda, Honda, and Toyota.

It was real close though, we almost drove away in a Pontiac G6 GT. I am so pissed that Pontiac got the axe instead of another line which shall remain nameless. If it was not for the Camaro, I would be in the market for a G8 right now.

[USAFJeeper]

Originally Posted by fastball

It is unfortunate but true...... American car companies are now paying for mistakes that they made 30 years ago that should have been taken care of 30 years ago. The state they are in today is not just a factor of the economy. You cannot blame people who swore of American cars forever after their one time experience with a Chevy Vega or Citation or (in my personal case) a 1990 Chevy Beretta with that great paint job.

Two words describing what happened to Chevy. Chevy Nova. OMG they ruined a muscle car... Not to mention the Mustang II...

[Epitaph]

There was a KIA dealership that went out of business not too long ago, around here.. yay!

[Jim Thompson]

we are alive and fine here and hope to be here another 52 years

also just pre-ordered our 39th camaro yesterday!!!!

yall keep on buying and referring and supporting please

[2010SLVRBULIT]

It's all about Corporate Greed and Big Business that's causing less-paid peons like us (further down the foodchain) to tighten our belts, skimp on better quality items, and resort to affordable incentives to make ends meet. Yet we are the ones expected to bail-out these 'so-called' experts of the money management, that cannot manage the market, let alone their own holdings?
Don't harp on us for not buying American, extinguish those that cannot stay competitive in the market world today. It would not have come this had Corporate stayed in touch w/ it surroundings, instead of constant out-sourcing to save a buck.
Ironic, what individuals(like myself) are doing/buying now to 'save a buck', and yet
have no 'bail-out' to fall back upon. You don't have to tell me to wake me up, my eyes are wide open.

I am however, buying a Camaro-not to help GM out-but to re-live the past..somewhat.

[KJS]

Fbodfather thanks for the info, as always much appreciated.

But with all due respect to you, the Asian automobile makers "out did" the US cars with the attention to detail and quality that the US makers didn't care or think they needed to worry about. Annual changes instead of quality started the American auto downfall. Funny thing is Quality Control was "born" in the USA. But like so many things, the foreign makers took it to heart and made it better. And it worked. GM, Chrysler and Ford talked the quality game with their advertising and marketing. But it was all talk, no show.

As stated earlier, foreign makers/dealerships also made the customer feel...well, like a "customer". (At least up until the last few years where Toyota dealers thought their s#@t didn't stink and are arrogant a$$holes.)

I feel sorry for the reputable GM dealerships who really cared about their customers and their communities. They have families, and employees, the suppliers, etc are going to be hurt big time. And with the economy reeling, I hope they somehow recover. I know all too well what it's like to be out of work and what I've done best for 30+ years is no longer needed...

"I am however, buying a Camaro-not to help GM out-but to re-live the past..somewhat." Agreed.

[chevydude26]

first of all i like the analogy fbod made about the dealers...

now on to all of you guys talking about the japanese "outdid" us....nonsenese!!!

Legacy costs did them in....c.a.f.e standards did them in....industry that has a union always seems to be in trouble....thats not a coincidence!!

corporate greed and big business??? stop it the japanese companies pay almost half in total costs which give them the ability to have cheaper cars and or better quality materials...which makes it more difficult for gm to compete

look at maria bartiromo explain exactly how gm is in this position i suggest you all watch this video

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sh...american-dream

[FirstLSK]

Originally Posted by DkknightX

The problem is that it became fashionable for Americans to "dislike" the American car buying experience because of what these franchise dealerships had done. Not all of them, but most reports state that the consumer buying experience in general was horrific and detestable. Dealerships like Toyota took control of the impulse to insult a vulnerable America and use it as an instrument to their benefit. My wife bought two Toyotas and as I was a witness, the experience was accomodating, interesting and not nearly as highly pressurized as purchasing a Chevrolet from D&C Chevrolet that is now thankfully went defunct as early as 2006 and finally vanished.

The smaller dealership issues have the additional disadvantage of not being viable because of their size, but the other GM dealerships on high were riddled with devious, greedy people in high positions, using good people to run their dealerships into the ground. The charities, the benefits, the close "family" ties among employees are all special, but as long as GM did not utilize their human resource stratagies properly; screen new employees even at the dealership level, then what else could you expect? Do you think those employees that had self-serving motives gave a damn about those at the dealerships that cared about a co-workers' family and friends? Precautions should have been taken before things got to this point.

The changes in the front office needed to have a direct affect on the dealerships down the line. The example was clearly not set and Toyota raised not only the expectations for GM, but for all American car companies. For years I've struggled internally with buying new GM cars because I'm tired of walking around with a target on my wallet. Why does Chevrolet make me feel this way and not Toyota? If my heart were not set on this vehicle, I would probably bite the bullet and buy Eastern European cars and settle with a car manufacturer in the middle somewhere. This GM vs. Japanese car war is really old and I'm tired of it.

I think you kinda made Scott's point for him here. People that buy Toyota's, Honda's etc. put the "me me me" instead of "we we we". They do not take into consideration the cumulative effect of the millions and billions of import purchases. Instead, it's all about what make "me" happy at this very moment.

Personally, I couldn't sleep at night if I sent my money to Tokyo from buying a foreign car. I will shop American dealerships until I find one that I am comfortable with, but sending my hard earned American money to the Tokyo Stock Exchange is not in my interest at all.

I remember my Grandfather telling me that this great country will never fall from an outside attack ..... rather it will crumble from the inside-out. Unfortunately, I think we are living in that crumble.