GM dealers eager to move forward

By Mike Boyer

Local General Motors Corp. dealers reacted with relief tinged with optimism Monday as the once-mighty automaker filed for bankruptcy reorganization.

After months of speculation about the filing and how customers would react, several dealers said they hoped that GM could now move through bankruptcy reorganization as quickly as Chrysler has.

“This is not something I ever hoped for. But it’s been talked about so long. I’m relieved it’s here and hopeful we can get through it quickly,” said Mike Castrucci, of Mike Castrucci Chevrolet in Milford.

Rob Riggsbee, president of Inside Media Inc., an Anderson Township media buying and planning agency, said he has heard that some dealerships around the state were seeing increased foot traffic from customers looking for “fire-sale” prices.

Castrucci said traffic is typically slow on the first of the month, and Monday was no exception. But, he said, “May was the best month we’ve had so far this year.”

Mike Hirlinger, of Hirlinger Chevrolet in West Harrison, Ind., said his showroom also saw an uptick in business on Monday.

“We delivered two new cars on Saturday and three more today. This definitely wasn’t a fire sale,” he said, but customers and sales people closing deals before end-of-the-month rebates and incentives expire.

“We’re still selling cars, but it takes more convincing” of customers leery about what GM’s bankruptcy means, said Kim Borcherding, president of Borcherding Buick Pontiac GMC at the Kings Auto Mall in Deerfield Township.

As she watched President Barack Obama’s televised remarks Monday in a showroom devoid of customers, Borcherding said, “As painful as closings and layoffs are, it’s what the world and marketplace require right now.”

Chris MacConnell of Thomson MacConnell Cadillac in Walnut Hills, said, “General Motors is still going to be here, and we’re going to be here as we have for 56 years.”

After hearing about bankruptcy for months, MacConnell said, “I think people are kind of numb to it.” He said customers have come to understand that bankruptcy reorganization doesn’t mean GM will be out of business, and the government’s willingness to stand behind GM warranties has reassured them.

“We had a flurry of activity on Saturday,” he said.

Thomson MacConnell said May was the best sales month it has seen in months.

“I’m sure there will be bumps along the way, but in the long run, I’m optimistic,” MacConnell said. With fewer brands after reorganization, GM will have more resources to devote to those that remain, such as Cadillac, he said.