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Heritage Chevrolet closes
Heritage Chevrolet in Auburn closed its doors August 31. Owner Dave Dimon said after a lot of thought about the
requirements placed on us from General Motors, he wasn’t ready to meet them.
“Our business was marginally profitable and in time we might have been able to turn it around, but I didn’t think it would
improve. We just got caught up in Wal-Martization.”
Dimon, who has operated Heritage for 25 years, said he regretted the decision because of the community support over the
years, the friendships and the loss of revenue to the city besides eight people losing their jobs.”
He added that there might be a place for a low overhead operation, maybe a used car and light service work operation which
might succeed. “GM really doesn’t encourage a Chevy store in a small town.”
Although, the business closed as of Aug. 31, Dimon said that he would stay around for a time and wrap up loose ends, take
care of some warranty work, maybe do a little repair work.
Dimon, who has been in the auto industry since 1975, says he will have to find something to do, because retirement isn’t in
the plans.
He concluded saying he hopes to send a letter to all his customers who so faithfully supported Heritage over the past 25
years.
Auburn, which at one time and for several years had two dealerships, Ford and Chevrolet, with at least one as long as cars
have been manufactured.
Mayor Joe Powell said it obviously will affect the city’s revenues because Heritage was on of the largest sales tax producers.
He also said that the city would get behind efforts to bring in someone else. “Maybe we can get a satellite dealership or even a
used car business.”
Heritage Chevrolet in Auburn closed its doors August 31. Owner Dave Dimon said after a lot of thought about the
requirements placed on us from General Motors, he wasn’t ready to meet them.
“Our business was marginally profitable and in time we might have been able to turn it around, but I didn’t think it would
improve. We just got caught up in Wal-Martization.”
Dimon, who has operated Heritage for 25 years, said he regretted the decision because of the community support over the
years, the friendships and the loss of revenue to the city besides eight people losing their jobs.”
He added that there might be a place for a low overhead operation, maybe a used car and light service work operation which
might succeed. “GM really doesn’t encourage a Chevy store in a small town.”
Although, the business closed as of Aug. 31, Dimon said that he would stay around for a time and wrap up loose ends, take
care of some warranty work, maybe do a little repair work.
Dimon, who has been in the auto industry since 1975, says he will have to find something to do, because retirement isn’t in
the plans.
He concluded saying he hopes to send a letter to all his customers who so faithfully supported Heritage over the past 25
years.
Auburn, which at one time and for several years had two dealerships, Ford and Chevrolet, with at least one as long as cars
have been manufactured.
Mayor Joe Powell said it obviously will affect the city’s revenues because Heritage was on of the largest sales tax producers.
He also said that the city would get behind efforts to bring in someone else. “Maybe we can get a satellite dealership or even a
used car business.”
Issue Date: Sept. 4, 2008
