Area GM dealers say it will be business as usual

Local General Motors’ dealers say they are optimistic about their automaker, which filed for bankruptcy protection this morning.

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Michael Holohan/Staff

Adam Logemann, vice president at Gordon Chevrolet in Augusta, stands in the showroom with the new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro.

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“It will provide some definition to a situation the domestic auto industry has been residing in for quite some time now,” said Adam Logemann, the general manager at Gordon Chevrolet on Gordon Highway in Augusta.

“I think we’ll see a very quick working in bankruptcy. Between General Motors and the federal government, we’ll see them emerge from bankruptcy a much stronger organization. Based on what we’re seeing with Chrysler right now, I think it will happen in an expedited timeframe,” he said.

Despite the filing, he said that business will continue as usual at his Chevrolet dealership, a sentiment echoed at Master Pontiac Buick GMC on Washington Road.

“While we regret the GM filing, this is no way inhibits our company from offering our customers continued sales and service as we move forward. GM will continue. Warranties will be protected. Parts will be available and we will continue to service vehicles,” dealership president Will Schafer said in a statement this morning.

Mr. Schafer said he views the current situation as a necessary means for General Motors to restructure and to come back stronger than ever as a vital operating company.

Richard Pendarvis, the owner of Pendarvis Chevrolet in Edgefield, S.C., said that it’s “bad day for America,” however. General Motors’ success is directly related to the economy, he said.

“A lot of jobs that people don’t really understand are tied to what the automobile industry does. Hopefully, we’ll work through it,” Mr. Pendarvis said.

Locally, small, auto-related businesses and the tire plant in Aiken will be impacted, he said.

Despite the filing, owners said that business will continue as usual at their dealerships.

“We won’t even know they’ve filed. We’ll be selling cars for the same thing and same rebates. Nothing changes for us. The debt holders will be the ones affected,” he said.

Mr. Pendarvis said the bankruptcy filing could slow shipments, and he prepared by ordering extra inventory several months ago.

“If it did slow the plants down for a week or two or month, I ordered extra inventory, just in case something like this happened,” he said.