NEW GLASGOW - A New Glasgow car dealership has received notice from its parent company that it is among 252 dealerships across Canada that will be phased out in the coming months.
O'Farrell Chevrolet received its notice from GM Canada Wednesday that its current five-year lease will not be renewed when it expires in 2010 and the business will be phased out by December.
The dealership has been a landmark in New Glasgow since Bill O'Farrell Sr. started O'Farrell Chevrolet 40 years ago, in 1969.
His son, Bill O'Farrell Jr., says GM's decision to close O'Farrells likely had something to do with the fact that his father is now 77 years old, while O'Farrell himself is involved in the Bordertown Pontiac-Buick GMC in Amherst.
"They want to go with the younger guy, who is going to be around," O'Farrell said, referring to Herron Pontiac, which is also under the GM banner.
However, he says there are no hard feelings towards GM.
"We have no hard feelings. We certainly would have liked to see it go another way, but because of the economic situation we're in and GM is in, they had to make a tough decision," O'Farrell said.
"We feel badly that the economic environment puts our corporation in this position. We're just going to take one day at a time and put our best foot forward."
Despite the economic climate, O'Farrell says car sales were brisk this year.
"Sales were good - it was a difficult winter, but our sales were very strong through the spring market," he said. "We actually sold out of pickups and can't get more in."
The closure will affect about 30 employees, many of whom have been involved with the business for much of the last 40 years. The dealership boasts 570 years of combined experience in the car sales industry.
"That's our primary concern now - the people who have given us blood, sweat and tears for the past 40 years," he said.
There have been no decisions made yet about what O'Farrell will do with the business, although he did mention that some of the options being considered include looking for another franchise or moving into exclusively selling used vehicles.
In the meantime, he added, they'll continue to service current and new customers, and even when GM pulls out of the dealership, customers will continue to be fully serviced.
"From a consumer perspective, things will continue to be business as usual," O'Farrell said. "The faces may change, but there won't be anyone stuck who can't get their car serviced."
GM announced in April that it would cut its workforce by over 50 per cent in response to the flailing economy. The announcement came as the automaker continued talks to extract further concessions from its Canadian unionized workers.
The main dealership cuts came in metropolitan areas of Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, but the company stated Wednesday that there would be some reductions in smaller communities as well.
In addition to O'Farrells in New Glasgow, several other dealerships in Nova Scotia are slated to close.
Future uncertain
Future uncertain
- Published on May 22nd, 2009
- Published on December 30th, 2009
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Jennifer Vardy Little
NEW GLASGOW - A New Glasgow car dealership has received notice from its parent company that it is among 252 dealerships across Canada that will be phased out in the coming months.
O'Farrell Chevrolet received its notice from GM Canada Wednesday that its current five-year lease will not be renewed when it expires in 2010 and the business will be phased out by December.
The dealership has been a landmark in New Glasgow since Bill O'Farrell Sr. started O'Farrell Chevrolet 40 years ago, in 1969.
His son, Bill O'Farrell Jr., says GM's decision to close O'Farrells likely had something to do with the fact that his father is now 77 years old, while O'Farrell himself is involved in the Bordertown Pontiac-Buick GMC in Amherst.
"They want to go with the younger guy, who is going to be around," O'Farrell said, referring to Herron Pontiac, which is also under the GM banner.
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Comments
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- Steve
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:28:24
I would look at this as an opportunity to start a new dealership with a manufacturer that is not currently served in this area such as Kia or Volkswagen. Kia has come a long way since Dave Peters took a crack at it and VW has made quality cars for a long time. Wouldn't mind a TDI myself.
Having a used car superstore is not a bad idea either but with many manufacturers not leasing anymore, there might not be an abundance of used vehicles at the auctions. Plus there is already a large used car lot in the market. Not sure if the market would support two. -
- wow
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:22:13
Its too bad but thats the economy these days.Gm is in a big panic to reduce costs to get the government bailout money ,but i suggest they start making a reliable and good product or the (Japanese) are going to take everything when thing get back to normal here in a couple years. This comment has been edited by a moderator.
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- Kristalee
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:19:42
When I was home in February my parents bought a brand new truck from GM. Thanks to Nathan from Cape Breton for being an awesome salesman!
Either way, it sucks that GM is pulling out, but I think it says something great about the O'Farrell's opting to continue to service the customers long after the main company is gone. Bravo! :) -
- c.c.
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:18:59
Saturn is bieng phased out by G.M.
Same with Volvo and Ford. -
- Chris
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:07:37
Wow is right you redneck. I guess the news is allowing racial slurs on their site now. Nice.
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- Chris
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:59:27
Chris..it is a single use building. What else could you use it for without spending a ton of money on renovations. It would be nice if they found a new dealer such as VW but I dont know if that could work. Its a shame, the O'Farrells are great people and dont deserve this fate
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- This
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:51:43
Very sad news.
Let's get a Volvo or Saturn dealer in this building and keep everyone employed!??! -
- Someone who cares
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:50:52
It is tragic to think that this dealership is closing its doors after 40 years. The OFarrell's have done a lot to keep this dealership alive. Here's to looking up and keeping optimism during this tough time. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to a man that dedicated his entire life to build something successful and also to all of the employees who put the time in to ensure the best atmosphere on Westville Road. I sure will miss your smiling faces.
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- town
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:48:38
Best wishes to Bill and employees. These are hard times and I think will get worse for a year or so more. The hopefully we will se things get better and knowing the O,Farrels they will survive.
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- Bimmer Boy
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:45:06
Um...the dealerships should all be in the same general area...it only makes sense from a competition and a shoppers standpoint. I don't believe for a second this had anything to do with the decision.
Too bad this had to close. It was a great business. Hopefully they will move another manufacturer in...something different that we don't have...or maybe Ford would liven up if it came back to town. -
- if it had to be....
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:41:06
It was pretty well written that one of the dealerships would go.....I like the O'Farrells personally, but found their service to be subpar to Herron's (perhaps not unrelated to it being a union shop??) even though I didn't buy the car from Herron's. The sales staff were less than eager to make something fit as well. Sorry to see a lack of local competition - not to mention the job losses - but if it was going to be one or the other........
Here's hoping a fine family with a long tradition in the community use the opportunity to take on a new product mix (whether new, used or both) and new sales and service approaches and continue to be a fixture in the area. All the best. -
- Kevin
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:32:02
chance for o'farrel to bring in a new line of autos, forget gm. where one door closes, another one opens.
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- County resident
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:19:46
That's too bad, my uncle has worked there as long as I can remember. Hope they can do something so these people don't lose their jobs!
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- Chris
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:06:18
I agree the big priority would be to find a new use for the building and keep (if not increase) the amount of people employed there. But NOT another car dealer. You have to figure a factor in picking this spot to close was the ridiculous amount of dealarships in the general area already. Some new form of business should try to buy the building.
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- Jim from Cape Breton
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:05:59
My heart goes out to the thirty employees. I certainly hope they can find other jobs. Perhaps the other GM dealership can absorb some of the staff.
Bill Sr. and his family operated a great
business over the past forty years. The community will miss them. I wish all the staff well and wish to thank them for their dedicated service over the years. -
- Laziest
- - January 18th, 2010 at 11:47:32
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Choose a European car maker - let's add a decent car maker to our list a mediocre choices.
Here's hoping the workers buy out the site from O'Farrell, and keep the joint running. -
- Scott Cotton
- - January 18th, 2010 at 11:45:43
I think Ford was the only smart one to get out of town and out of the Highway, great little area being built up out there and its good too see... I would like too see VW out there aswell
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- Stupid Flanders
- - January 18th, 2010 at 11:42:21
I'm friends with a lot of people working there and i hope for their sakes that something else moves in. Like already said, when one door closes another one opens.
Best of luck!!
