Update to all Preferred Chevy Pontiac Customers and previous Nelson Chevy Pontiac Customers-

On May 15^th, we received a letter from GM stating, “generally speaking, we would not expect our contractual relationship to continue past October, 2010.  Please understand that our planning in this regard is not finalized, and we are prepared to give you until the end of the month to submit any information you would like to us.”

This letter was sent to GM dealers all over the country, based on historical sales, facilities and capitalization, amongst other things.  Unfortunately, despite our cooperation with the media, several radio stations and other sources, decided to release false information.  We appreciate those media outlets that did call and ask questions and reported the facts, as we all know it is easier to keep reporting negativity, in these economic times.

The facts are we have “beat the region” in new vehicle sales 5 out of the 6 months.  We increased our GM Certified sales over 500% and out performed similar stores in our region.  Our CSI and GM training are some of the highest in the region, well above the national average.  Keep in mind that this was also during the time that Lagrange County was one of the highest unemployment rates in the country but also consumer confidence with new vehicles was at an all time low.  In other words, we have been doing extremely well when other dealerships have struggled in the same time frame.

The Lagrange community has also responded and many of the customers who had done business here over the 50 years of this store’s existence are coming back and we thank them for their support.  Local businesses and banks like Farmer’s, are actually giving great rates to customers who buy local.  That is what it is all about.

We are presenting these facts to let the community know that we plan on making a case to keep the Chevy franchise and would like to get a Buick franchise as well.  We are growing, not closing.  We have a full service and parts department that still picks up customer’s vehicles from their workplace for no charge.  We are a pre-owned auto group, one of the largest in Indiana and we intend on doing business as usual; actually better than usual.

GM’s letter is not the last thing we will see.  Some received the letter and did not report this information to the public; others did not receive it and will have a hard time staying open anyways.  We urge everyone to support all these dealerships and to not read into everything they read or hear.  Dealerships our size did not cost GM money, so how does closing them help make GM more profitable?  

Regards,

Chris Hawley

Managing Partner, Preferred Chevy Pontiac

On behalf of the Preferred Family.