Dealerships around you closing up

[Ryan T]

Have many of you noticed car dealerships closing down around you due to the economic problems? I've seen a few small places around Harrisonburg (the place by el charro and a few others) close down, but two big ones are closing up at the end of this month. Charlie Obaugh is closing the Pontiac store on South Main at the end of the month. He closed his body shop up there about two months ago and told his staff last week that he's shutting the store. Granted, Charlie never wanted to be in Harrisonburg anyways...and most of the 'burg hates him anyways because of the whole drug scandal, but still.

Got the call from a buddy yesterday that Dick Myers (Owns Dodge in h'burg, and Chevrolet/Pontiac in elkton; his brother owns the Ford store in elkton) is shutting his doors at the Elkton Chevy/Pontiac store on Thursday.

I'm sure Charlie will take most of his used Inventory to the stores he has in Waynesboro and Staunton (Pontiac agreed to buy back his 09 Inventory), but I dunno what Dick Myers is gonna do. Crazy stuff.

[D_Eclipse9916]

The GM dealership got bought out here in Tysons. The cadillac dealership left a year or two ago.

[Ken]

Chevy dealer by me closed a year ago. Other than that though they all seem to be holding up pretty well on LI

[Steve85]

Clark Motors Dodge dealer and the Subaru / Mazda dealer are gone.

The Clark motors people just built an incredible house in the new section of our neighborhood that is now for sale. Although, I do not believe the economy is 100% to blame for the dealer going out of business. I would say it played it part in not having someone come in and buy it.

The Subby - Zoom Zoom dealer was there one day and gone the next, no warning, no moving sign.

[drivesideways46]

The Mazda/Subaru franchise went right down the road to the Saturn of Winchester dealership.

I stopped in today to look at the new STI on the lot.

[Mike]

I only ever see the Mazda and Benz dealerships in Ballston. They're both still going.

[Jewels]

The Mazda/Subaru franchise went right down the road to the Saturn of Winchester dealership.

I stopped in today to look at the new STI on the lot.

Winchester Ford, was the previous owner and they've been running the Mazda/Subaru dealership into the ground from day 1. Just a matter of time, in my opinion. I mean c'mon Winchester Ford made their technicians contractors so they wouldn't have to pay benefits any more. Not a quality place. Lamar Sloan is rolling in his grave I'm sure.

[Steve85]

The Mazda/Subaru franchise went right down the road to the Saturn of Winchester dealership.

I stopped in today to look at the new STI on the lot.

Aha...I haven't been down that way in a couple weeks. I didn't see any moving signs or anything at the old lot, not that I stopped or anything, it's just marketing is usually over the top.

So it's a new owner I take it?

[Jake]

The GM dealership got bought out here in Tysons. The cadillac dealership left a year or two ago.

You mean Moore Cadillac in tysons? I know they closed but I thought it was more recent - within the past six months or so...

[.RJ]

They've been gone for a while, a furniture place moved in... thats going out of business.

But on the upside, there's an eastern motors across the street now :lol:

[Jake]

They've been gone for a while, a furniture place moved in... thats going out of business.

Wow. Cool. I guess I need to get out of 2007. Shows how often I roll through Tysons.

[Kaan]

But on the upside, there's an eastern motors across the street now :lol:

where your job is your credit!

[WRXtranceformed]

I read an article where you can buy a Ford dealership basically as a franchise for $1 now, assuming you have "x" in assets to back up the business. Ford apparently is taking a more hands off approach to the operations and management of their dealerships, putting more of the responsibility of smart business ownership in the hands of the owners. I think this makes total sense, manage your business right and dont expect corporate to bail you out for a history of bad mistakes.

[Evan]

I only ever see the Mazda and Benz dealerships in Ballston. They're both still going.

Last time driving through Ballston I noticed the Chebby dealer across the street from Mazda is gone.

[Mike]

Yeah, that was a long time in the making... and happened probably two years ago. Real estate call, not a financial hard-times one.

[mrbaggio]

The Ballston Benz dealership is going to be expanding. They have a plan to build it out even more over the next 4 years

[Jeff]

Its a hard time to be at a dealership. Ryan and I know! We are doing well right now but the fate of Chrysler will say a lot for what we end up doing. Its going to be very hard to get another franchise to come into a building built in 1966. (Well, part was built in 1924, part in the 40's, and bodyshop/showroom in 66). So yeah, its a scary time to be in this business, no matter what sign you have above the door.

Broadway Ford (out last year)
Mason Motors Dodge (last month)
Clarke Motors Dodge (I heard they really went out because of a Divorce)

[Kaan]

And there will be no more firebird

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[Evan]

The Ballston Benz dealership is going to be expanding. They have a plan to build it out even more over the next 4 years

:lol: so they will take up 90% of Ballston instead of just 75% now?!!

I swear everywhere you look in ballston there are new mercedes double stacked on lifts

[Mike]

And there will be no more firebird

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OR VIBE! OHNOES!