from My Desert
Robert Hulett, general manager of the 25-year-old Chrysler dealership that was one of 789 franchises to be shuttered in the Chrysler LLC meltdown across the United States, has reopened with a new fleet of Hyundai cars.
There'll be some familiar faces, too.
“We had about 75 employees at one point, and had to let just about everyone go'' over the summer as used cars were sold and a new franchise opportunity explored, Hulett said.
The city of La Quinta approved a temporary zoning permit for the dealer to operate Dodge City Pre-Owned Auto Sales in the interim. On Oct. 19, the service department reopened and the first fleet of new cars rolled in.
Four people in service and two employees in parts were rehired, Hulett said, along with three sales people and two business associates.
Mayor Don Adolph said it's great that the business was able to launch a new franchise.
“The city and our staff has been working with the dealers that are up there,” he said. “We don't want to end up with one car dealership. You need several of them in there to make this work.
“We're happy this is moving forward,'' he said. “It benefits the city and the dealers that are in the auto center.”
As of Wednesday, some 45 new cars have been prepped and are on the ground.
“The signs are going up now,'' Hulett said, and floor traffic has returned to the franchise.
Within a week, the dealership, owned by Kent B. Sowell, should have 80 new Hyundai vehicles plus 60 used cars on the lot.
“It feels great,” Hulett said as paperwork was being prepared for the dealership's first probable new car sale — a 2009 Elantra Touring vehicle.
“Last year, the auto industry was very challenging. Every day it got worse and worse — hitting rock bottom when Chrysler told us we lost the franchising rights,'' Hulett said. “Now, the economy is starting to show signs of recovery. Hyundai is gaining market share. It's a great product with a great warranty, and it's a company that's growing.
“We feel good about them, and they feel good about us.”
There'll be some familiar faces, too.
“We had about 75 employees at one point, and had to let just about everyone go'' over the summer as used cars were sold and a new franchise opportunity explored, Hulett said.
The city of La Quinta approved a temporary zoning permit for the dealer to operate Dodge City Pre-Owned Auto Sales in the interim. On Oct. 19, the service department reopened and the first fleet of new cars rolled in.
Four people in service and two employees in parts were rehired, Hulett said, along with three sales people and two business associates.
Mayor Don Adolph said it's great that the business was able to launch a new franchise.
“The city and our staff has been working with the dealers that are up there,” he said. “We don't want to end up with one car dealership. You need several of them in there to make this work.
“We're happy this is moving forward,'' he said. “It benefits the city and the dealers that are in the auto center.”
As of Wednesday, some 45 new cars have been prepped and are on the ground.
“The signs are going up now,'' Hulett said, and floor traffic has returned to the franchise.
Within a week, the dealership, owned by Kent B. Sowell, should have 80 new Hyundai vehicles plus 60 used cars on the lot.
“It feels great,” Hulett said as paperwork was being prepared for the dealership's first probable new car sale — a 2009 Elantra Touring vehicle.
“Last year, the auto industry was very challenging. Every day it got worse and worse — hitting rock bottom when Chrysler told us we lost the franchising rights,'' Hulett said. “Now, the economy is starting to show signs of recovery. Hyundai is gaining market share. It's a great product with a great warranty, and it's a company that's growing.
“We feel good about them, and they feel good about us.”
