After 70 Years, Chevy Dealer Switches to Nissan

[Ming]

After Decades Selling Chevies, Dealer Switches to Nissan
By Thomas Heath
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, April 10, 2009



Chevy Chase Cars, whose Chevrolet sign on Wisconsin Avenue has been a Bethesda landmark for decades, has dropped Chevy in favor of Nissans, the company told its customers this week.

The 70-year-old dealership will continue to sell Acuras, which is Honda's luxury brand, but it ended its agreement with Chevrolet due to slowing sales.

"We have made the decision to replace Chevrolet with Nissan," the company said in a letter to customers. "We believe that Chevrolet produces a world-class lineup of vehicles. Unfortunately, our client base is very import-minded and we need to satisfy that base."

The company said it will continue to employ Chevrolet technicians and to supply service and maintenance for its Chevrolet customers.

Two out of every three new-vehicle sales in Washington are of foreign brands, and Chevy Chase Cars is no exception. For every new Chevy it sold, it would sell three new Acuras, according to dealership representatives.

The company's move comes as automakers are looking to reduce the number of dealers carrying their cars. General Motors, in the viability plan it presented to the government in February, said it would cut 25 percent of its dealerships by 2012.

"It's certainly a sign of the times," said Jesse Toprak, an analyst with Edmunds.com, which covers the automotive industry. "This dealership is simply trying to minimize its exposure to any future risk."

Sam Weaver Jr., Chevy Chase Cars' chief operating officer and a part-owner of the company, referred questions about the switch to Nissan to John Bowis, whose family has owned Chevy Chase Cars since 1939. A message left on Bowis's telephone was not returned.

According to the letter Chevy Chase Cars prepared for customers, the company will move its Acura operations into Chevrolet's former space and offices, and the new Nissan operations will backfill in the Acura area. The dealer's relationship with Chevrolet ended March 31, according to GM.

Out of the 130 vehicles Chevy Chase Cars sells in an average month, 75 are Acuras, 25 are new Chevrolets and 30 are used cars of various kinds.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...040904130.html

[JerryL]

In our own CAPITAL.........., a 70 year old franchise has to stop selling American products !!!!! This hurts me....even though it shouldn't. I realize it's because their customers want the "foreign" products...... but it still does bother me.

[Xtreme08]

Good business move just crappy to hear.

[eurohazard]

What do we think is going to happen when 1,700 GM dealerships close?

It sucks.....but ideally, when GM gets stronger.....hopefully they can take back more dealerships. Or hell, this story sort of smells like spin. Maybe other dealerships are doing reasonably (considering the severe recession) well selling GM vehicles in that area.

With so many GM dealerships competing with GM dealerships gone, maybe the ones who "make it", will be stronger for it.

[Gerard]

A Versa is better than an Aveo...but it's still a Versa.

[Neanderthal]

Originally Posted by Gerard

A Versa is better than an Aveo...but it's still a Versa.

They should put Chivvlay bowties on those. Sales will pick up!

[MrCritical]

If the other manufacturers do their job, we'll never get those customer's back.

[Mr. Burns]

Originally Posted by JerryL

In our own CAPITAL.........., a 70 year old franchise has to stop selling American products !!!!! This hurts me....even though it shouldn't. I realize it's because their customers want the "foreign" products...... but it still does bother me.

Amazing how the once icons of american industrial might have let the entire nation down.

[Xtreme08]

^ Burnsie make another post quick time. You don't want to be on that post count for too long.

[ClassyEldo]

It will be too late, when "Main Street" America wakes up to realize the consequences of their infatuation with foreign cars. It is really unfortunate to read about dealerships making such difficult business decisions.

[AMERICA 123]

He so funny - timing not good.

ARB Fines Nissan $4.4M on OBD Failures
16 April 2009

The California Air Resources Board last month fined Nissan Motor Company $4.4 million for failing to meet requirements concerning the on-board diagnostic equipment that monitors tailpipe emissions on most of its 2005-2007 models—more than 450,000 vehicles.

On-board diagnostic systems are incorporated into vehicle computers to ensure tailpipe emissions stay at permissible levels. If a problem is detected, the system turns on a “check engine” light to alert the driver.

The ARB discovered Nissan’s problems in 2007 during a routine compliance review. The problems concerned inadequate monitoring of engine sensors that govern proper fuel system operation and whether monitoring takes place as frequently as required.

Nissan’s settlement with the ARB requires it to pay $3 million to the California Air Pollution Control Fund, which provides funding for projects and research to improve California’s air quality. It must also pay $1.2 million to the Environmental Education Initiative and $200,000 to the National OBD Clearinghouse.

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2009...0416.html#more

But of course, the EPA is missing in action yet again concerning an Asian OEM.

[tbirderic]

It's sad, but a sign of the times.

[kylepo]

there is a long time ford delaer that had made so much money selling fords he did not floorplan a thing just paid cash for all the cars. He sold the joint for 5 bills and bought a toyota point.

[Neanderthal]

Originally Posted by kylepo

there is a long time ford delaer that had made so much money selling fords he did not floorplan a thing just paid cash for all the cars. He sold the joint for 5 bills and bought a toyota point.

Actually I have driven a Toyota Point. They are sharp.

Originally Posted by Xtreme08

^ Burnsie make another post quick time. You don't want to be on that post count for too long.

Too late! He's On The Road To Hail!!

[page2171]

Originally Posted by AMERICA 123

He so funny - timing not good.



http://www.greencarcongress.com/2009...0416.html#more

But of course, the EPA is missing in action yet again concerning an Asian OEM.

That isn't a EPA issue, it is an issue with not meeting California requirements...a problem that wouldn't exist if there was one emissions standard across the country.