Location: Jamestown, N.D.
"My grandfather started the store in 1954. My dad, Larry, is the current owner. We've got 13 employees.
We got the letter and saw the news almost simultaneously. It was a kick in the pants. Reporters were calling us and we felt like celebrities - but for all the wrong reasons.
Yesterday we were flying the flag at half-mast, but we do think we'll persevere. In 1969, we started selling Toyota vehicles and doing service for Toyota vehicles, so we'll keep moving with that. It's good from a marketing standpoint because we're the only ones in the area that are selling imported cars.
Also, we'll continue to service Chrysler vehicles even though there won't be any more warranty work. All my employees will stay on board, even if I have to sacrifice my own salary.
We're also lucky because we've been approached by other dealers not on cut list, who are trying to help us, the sacrificial lambs. They've asked to buy existing inventory.
I don't know why we were cut, but I suspect that it was because we are also a duel dealer for a competing brand. I've noticed that's the case with a lot of the other guys on the list. But that doesn't make any sense to me. The name of a car you have under your roof doesn't mean it will help or hurt the other cars." - as told to Emily Maltby
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