Ephrata dealer appreciates support

EPHRATA — It’s been an interesting ride. I’d like to thank everyone who helped our cause over the last year. The level of support from our incredible community was astonishing. Thank you for the letters, phone calls, lobbying efforts and your continued business. I’d especially like to thank Wes Crago and everyone at the City Hall, the PUD Commissioners, Senator Doc Hastings for his personal visit and everyone who wrote letters to GM on our behalf.

We found out this Tuesday that as of October 31st of this year, we will no longer be a Chevrolet dealer. This is due to many factors such as our partnership with Chrysler, our proximity to the Chevy dealers in Moses Lake, Ellensburg and Wenatchee and GM’s overall goal of consolidating its national dealer count. They feel that fewer dealers will be better for the brand in the long term. Even though our dealership was considered in high regards within GM, we are still a causality of GM’s grand plan.

Our building has housed the Chevrolet brand since it was built in 1951. This October we will begin a new chapter as Barry Chrysler Dodge Jeep. It’s been interesting to watch both GM and Chrysler head in a new direction over the last year. There is a lot at stake, but from what I’ve seen so far, the signs are very encouraging. Even though both companies have shown that they will survive and flourish, I feel that Chrysler is poised for better things in the long run. With the new Dodge Ram being the most award winning truck in history, a new world class Grand Cherokee debuting this spring, a new 300 and Charger launching this fall and the benefits of a great partnership with

Fiat arriving next winter, things are really going to be exciting!

Thank you again for everything. We will be a fully operational Chevrolet dealer until October 31st. We can perform all warranty work and sales operations until then. After that time, we will still service and repair all GM vehicles since we will retain all of GM’s special tools, training and parts. The change will not affect our normal dealership operations or the wonderful staff I work with. We are open for business and excited about our future!

Please let me know if you have any questions. I’d be happy to discuss the situation with anybody.

Denver Morford can be reached at www.barrychrysler.com or 509-754-2411.