HOLLISTER
While the Big 3 American automakers struggle through historically tough times, Hollister dealership owners Bob Tiffany and Marty Greenwood stressed how they are positioned to weather the storm, despite rumors to the contrary, and both emphasized the benefit of buying local.
Tiffany Motor Co. in particular is approaching its 99th birthday in a couple of months and stands as the oldest Ford dealership in California, the sixth oldest in the country. Greenwood Chevrolet-Pontiac-Buick-GMC, meanwhile, opened in 2001 under brothers Mike and Marty, who own several dealerships in the Hollister and Gilroy areas.
Tiffany said he understands how rumors have circulated about the business considering the economy and the federal government’s consideration of a multi-billion-dollar bailout of the Big 3 – Ford, General Motors and Chrysler. He noted, however, that strong franchise laws protect businesses like his even in the case of bankruptcy, the likelihood of which he called “very, very remote.”
“We’ve been through a lot of ups and downs since 1910, including the Great Depression,” Tiffany said. “Now, I wasn’t here for the Great Depression, thankfully, but we survived the Great Depression. We’re certainly planning to survive this tough economic time as well.”
Greenwood said the same rumors he has heard about his business are “natural” with the state of the economy and United States auto manufacturers struggling financially. He pointed out, though, that his Hollister dealership about two and a half years ago started taking steps toward consolidation, noting, as Tiffany also did, how the business also has full parts and service departments. The hardest part, Greenwood said, has been the related layoffs in recent times.
“Sales are definitely off – there’s no doubt about it,” Greenwood acknowledged. “We’ve kind of positioned ourselves to weather the storm.”
He went on: “We are here to service your needs. We’re not selling the business and we’re not going out of business.”
Legislators for weeks have been negotiating over a potential bailout of the Big 3. Talks continued Monday on an amount of money and related conditions, but President Bush reassured Detroit automakers that short-term help for the industry was on the way.
As an auto dealer, Tiffany admits he is “biased” on a bailout many Americans have opposed.
“I do think the American public needs to know how critical the American auto industry is to jobs throughout this country,” he said. “It really affects the whole economy in a huge way.”
Tiffany said part of the problem has been faulty perceptions of Ford and other automakers’ ability to adapt as needed – a perception ignited by the media’s portrayal of the three companies as “dinosaurs.”
Of the Big 3, he said: “They’ve made some mistakes as far as some of the products they have built in the past. In recent history, certainly the last few years, Ford and other automakers have made tremendous strides in terms of negotiating with labor unions. They’ve made great strides as far as cutting costs. They are rapidly moving toward a product lineup that is going to be much more dominated by smaller cars. They’re bringing cars over from Europe.”
Greenwood pointed out that General Motors remains the No. 1 auto manufacturer in the world and he said he “can’t see the United States of America without G.M.”
Regarding bailout talks, though, Greenwood said he favors a bridge loan that holds the industry accountable. He contended that the United Auto Workers, as other affected parties have done, must accept concessions to make it work. He said he is “not singling out the UAW” but that all parties have to sacrifice on some level.
Both dealers, meanwhile, noted their strong local ties and relatively smaller statures as dealers as a benefit while they work through the industry’s crisis.
And both made separate plugs for San Benito County residents to shop local as benefit to the entire community – while noting that prices locally are comparable to elsewhere regionally.
“What I would suggest is that we all try to come together as a community and try to buy locally as much as possible,” Tiffany said, “whether it be purchasing a vehicle or purchasing something for the holidays to put under the tree.”
Said Greenwood, noting his dealership’s high customer service standing with G.M.: “If you can’t buy from us, man, my phone is on – I’m here. Let me know why you can’t buy from us … If they’re not able to buy here, I’d just like to know why.”
