With all the rumors of Robby possibly headed back to Chevy, I thought this was of interest...

"Scottsdale, AZ., Sept. 24, 2008 - According to Automotive News' Chrissie Thompson, Bill Heard Enterprises, the country's top Chevrolet dealer group, is closing the doors at all of its 13 dealerships at the end of business today, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

The company notified the stores' general managers at 2 p.m. today, the source said, who spoke anonymously because he was not authorized to speak.

High fuel prices, cancelled floorplanning from GMAC Financial Services, a reliance on trucks and SUVs, a soft national economy and struggles in local markets had troubled the company, which on Sept. 12 closed its store in Scottsdale, Ariz.

In the end, the company could not raise operating capital and could not finance its floorplan, the source said. Company officials have discussed closing the company since Friday, the source said.

Bill Heard Enterprises, of Columbus, Ga., ranks No. 13 on the Automotive News list of the top 125 U.S. dealership groups, with 2007 group revenue of $2.13 billion.


I have read that if GMAC started having trouble, that would be big trouble for GM.
To let the #1 Chevy dealer go belly up is uncharacteristic. Could be just the beginning.

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Of course they're out there, but it's extraordinary to hear about one, they're really not made to last that long. I've seen internal GM memos describing how they control the life of the car. If they last too long, it's too long before someone buys a new one was their theory, beginning in the 50's. A '73 BMW still looks cool, runs great and has collectibility, chicks dig it, not to mention value, but a '73 Vega? Pinto? Mustang II? 80's Camaro? Charge me what it costs to build a vehicle designed to last decades, don't try to make more than you can make WELL, and don't try to sell me a disposable, plastic car that's made in Mexico for what seems like a good deal today, it's not. Different schools of thought. I'll always choose build quality and company philosophy over saving a buck today. Gotta go, some UAW thugs just cut my tires. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to use my real name here...
I agree with you and it is sad to say so! It goes back to what I said about not having pride in owning a GM vehicle anymore. Why should you? They are considered disposable. By the way, I have 2 1990 GM cars. They run well (unless I just jinxed myself LOL), but they have regular services every 6 months regardless of mileage.
OK John, if youre gonna compare a '73 bmw to a Pinto, or a Vega, you done lost your mind. Can you at least say a 70's Camaro, or a '73 ElDorado, with the big ol' caddy motor in it. Course you could run a fleet of bmw's off the same amount of fuel, but man, nice cars buddy. I can tell you, I took a '98 Monte in on trade that had 208k on it. Ran like a 20k car. I can tell you my dad has had a total of 3 Chevy vans throughout my life. The first got over 300k, 2nd was just short,& the 3rd is still going @ (I believe) right around 200k. I also read this spring about a guy who turned 1,000,000 miles in his c/k 1500. So John, I'm not gonna disagree with you about the customers (want vs need), but theres 5 examples of 200k+ Chevys.
I'll also tell you, as my dad has plenty of gearhead friends, I've heard about their American made trucks that surpassed 2-300k. I just won't tell you what make they were. I don't wanna get Alex excited.
I have a '87 Dodge Caravan beater that I use to pull a trailer for my kids dirt bikes, quads, etc. It just turned 280K miles. However, it has a Mitsubishi built V6 in it. The Mopar tranny took a dump at 68K. I replaced it with a custom hybrid Mitsu forklift/Mopar unit. Over 200K with no issues. Other than the early transmission problem, it's been relatively trouble-free. Just routine maintenance. Even the A/C blows cold.
YOU kept that van going, not dodge.
I'm with you on this one. I am all for worker's rights and unions. People should be taken care of if they have done good work. Yet, I feel the UAW has too much power and it has crippled the US auto industry. Toyota and Honda can make better vehicles for less because of this and I know they take care of their people, so it's not like they are paid slave wages.
Olds was realigned to be sold with the Cadillac line in the late 90's, not Chevrolet! Gm wanted Chevrolet and Olds separated where possible. They felt the age/market share would be revived for the Olds customer by putting them with the Cadillac franchise. LOL! 100th anniversary of Oldsmobile came around and then they were gone!
The two Oldsmobile dealers near me became Chevy dealers.
deantac the truth hurts don't it john is correct.
and a SCAB is a union schmo working non union not a non union guy working in an open shop.
you will be called one when your union fails you through this economy and you have to find a real job
IN MY OPINON
Scab is a person willing to cross a picket line and does not believe in a union. people like you and john that spew this same old anti union rhetoric all over the place have no clue what a union is about. it's always the unions fault, never the company's managament leading it to ruin.
Yes, it is always the unions fault. Leftism, socialism, Marxism, call it what you like, it SUCKS. Unions are a remnant of Euro-style worker movements. Your loyalty is to your union first, not to the people who employ you, which is why you've gotten 30 years worth of wages in ten years. Had you budgeted well, your new Walmart salary will just about even things out. Good luck with that pal.
Not much market for a $80,000 Chevy Aero.

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