Moses Lake's Nissan dealership sold

MOSES LAKE - After negotiations, Ponderosa Motors Nissan Inc. in Moses Lake was sold on Tuesday to an undisclosed dealer.

It's not known what the new ownership will mean for the roughly 20 employees who worked for Ponderosa Nissan, said Jennifer Oertli, controller of Ponderosa Enterprises. It depends if the new owner decides to bring in other employees, she said.

At this point, Ponderosa told the employees "we don't know," (if they'll have jobs), Oertli said.

She said she didn't know who the new owner was or exactly why the business was sold.

But Oertli did say company President Deborah Loy "probably had a good offer. She's owned a lot of stores."

It's also unclear if customers who have sales and service agreements for their Nissans will have to drive elsewhere for service.

Ponderosa Nissan is the only Nissan dealer in Moses Lake, but there are dealers about 70 miles away in Wenatchee and Pasco, according to Nissan's Web site.

Ponderosa operated from its Maiers Road location near Moses Lake for about two years after moving from a building on Pioneer Way in Moses Lake, she said.

Oertli said she's sure once the new dealer comes in, they'll be open for business.

She verified vehicles were moved off Ponderosa's lot, likely destined for the company's other locations in the Spokane area.

The company still owns the used vehicles, but is required to have a Nissan franchise to sell the Nissans, she said.

Oertli said the ownership transfer was expected to be completed on Tuesday.