Another Dealer Closes?

[Dennis C.]

There was an article in a Long Island newspaper today, that said a local Chevrolet dealers doors were closed. The name of the dealer was Ramp Chevrolet and they claimed to be the largest Corvette dealer in New York State.

Right now there is some confusion regarding if their doors are closed for good or if they might be downsizing to a new location.

Not good.

Dennis

[Bob H.]

Re: Another Dealer Closes?

Holler Chevrolet in Orlando goes back at least into the 30's. They also own Classic Chevrolet in Central Florida. Both have been pitched by Chevrolet. Holler sold a lot of Corvettes. My 61 and 62 both came from there.

We have a place in North Carolina and the Chevrolet dealer in Forest City closed two weeks ago.

[Rich G.]

Re: Another Dealer Closes?

I believe Ramp is gone for good. Also got a notice from the dealer (Gary Enck) where I bought 2 Z06's over the years in Cooperstown ,NY. He sold around 130 Corvettes per year plus Chevy, Buick. He had his dealership pulled.

I had heard rumors that Ramp was in trouble before all this other nonsense started.

Rich

[Dick W.]

Re: Another Dealer Closes?

You will see quite a few close by the first of the year. Some of the cancelled dealers are ramping down early

[Tom L.]

Re: Another Dealer Closes?

I heard an advertisment for Ramps "Liquidation sale" on the TV while getting ready for work this morning. I drive by the dealership often, they were a very large vette dealer. Over the last year the reduction in inventory was obvious. Even had a seperate lot and building dedicated to only vette sales.

[Dave S.]

Re: Another Dealer Closes?

I believe Ramp is gone for good. Also got a notice from the dealer (Gary Enck) where I bought 2 Z06's over the years in Cooperstown ,NY. He sold around 130 Corvettes per year plus Chevy, Buick. He had his dealership pulled.

I had heard rumors that Ramp was in trouble before all this other nonsense started.

Rich

I was taken back by the closing of Gary Enck's dealership in Cooperstown, NY. He was the original owner of my 70 LT-1 and subsequently helped me to buy my 71 LT-1. I got to know him over the years and he is a great guy and a true asset to the auto industry. These types of things remind us how hard the economy and auto industry turmoil has hit. Gary will land on his feet because he is a true businessman and gentleman just like others in his situation.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Another Dealer Closes?

I'm not surprised. I just got back from a long weekend in NYC and what this Detroit guy saw disgusted me. Out of 20 cars lined up on the street mayby 2 were were domestic. And those were either vans, big suv's, or dilapidated wrecks. My guess is now 5 out of 100 cars purchased there are domestic. I hardly ever saw 2 domestics consecutively parked. I see the industry having 3 markets: east coast, west coast, and the rest of the country. I have no doubt that many more GM, Ford, and Chrysler dealers in this area will be gone.
Sad!
Jeff

[Terry D.]

Re: Another Dealer Closes?

I wish someone would explain to me how closing dealerships, especially ones that were making money, helps the Companies bottom line. For the General a dealership costs him nothing, cars are floor planned through a bank, parts are paid for and warranty works has to be summitted to the General and gets paid back to the dealership at a cheaper than normal hourly rate. Not even counting the free advertising that the dealership pays for not the General, but I guess that's what happens when you let a\the government take over, after all they do so good with our national debt and socisl security to mention but a few. We lost a dealership that was in the upper 10% of Chevrolet's sales, guess he contributed to the wrong campain.
Terry

[Terry M.]

[Rich G.]

Re: Another Dealer Closes?

Dave

I too was very sad to hear about Gary losing his dealership. Even though we live on Long Island, I bought 2 cars from him while visiting in the Cooperstown area, simply because he struck me as a real "Corvette guy". We have attended a few of his get togethers and cruises over the years.

Rich

[Bill M.]

Re: Another Dealer Closes?

I agree with Jeffrey i live in new York and i am a union worker and i can count on 1 hand how many of my friends buy American. There is always some reason but i suspect that most are stupid and brainwashed. When was tha last time you read an aryicle that had anything good to say about a normal American car? Even when they do say something nice they will focus on something like not enough cup holders.I have bought new Chevy's and GASP 1 Lincoln since 1984 and have had not 1 repeated problem with any of them. When a sinificant amount of white collar jobs are imported into this country the jap drivers will wake up but i fear it is already to late. CHANGE

[Terry D.]

Re: Another Dealer Closes?

Terry
According to our representative it was the government who told GM and Chrysler that as part of the plan to receive money was to close dealerships. The Washington Examiner, CNN and Fox news, all ran a very interesting article on this. Google them and look up dealerships closing on their web site. No one seems to be able to answer what formula they used to determine who got closed, although the man in charge of this has since resigned.
Terry

[Stuart F.]

Re: Another Dealer Closes?

There is a lot of coincidental evidence out there that a lot of it was based on which party the owner(s) supported over the years.

Stu Fox

[Dick W.]

Re: Another Dealer Closes?

I wish someone would explain to me how closing dealerships, especially ones that were making money, helps the Companies bottom line. For the General a dealership costs him nothing, cars are floor planned through a bank, parts are paid for and warranty works has to be summitted to the General and gets paid back to the dealership at a cheaper than normal hourly rate. Not even counting the free advertising that the dealership pays for not the General, but I guess that's what happens when you let a\the government take over, after all they do so good with our national debt and socisl security to mention but a few. We lost a dealership that was in the upper 10% of Chevrolet's sales, guess he contributed to the wrong campain.
Terry

I have seen quoted that it costs the manufacturer $1,000 in dealer support for every vehicle sold.

I know that capitalization, customer satisfaction index, volume, and market share were some of the numbers used. I have talked to 2 dealers that got the ax, they admitted that they were seriously undercapitalized and would probably have failed eventually anyway. I know of one other that is on the chopping block that has a very poor customer service index rating, and a very low market share in his area. Most closings would be understandable if we knew all the circumstances

[Tom L.]

Re: Another Dealer Closes?

I'm not sure that this was a GM "sponsored" closing. I've been hearing rumers around town that Ramp was in trouble financially looong before the bailout.

Maybe someone can verify that GM is responsible or not so blame can be placed on the correct party. Buisnesses fail on local levels due to poor buisness decisions just the way huge companies fail.