Sorg Family Business Expands With Purchase Of Warsaw Dealership
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jen [email protected]
Sorg South opened its doors Sept. 4 at the former Petro Brothers Chrysler Dodge and Jeep dealership, but the Sorg name has been in the car business for more than 43 years.
Toby and Randy Sorg, owners of the Sorg Dodge in Goshen, purchased the Warsaw dealership from Steve Petro, who decided to retire earlier this year after 28 years in the business.
While they are new to the Warsaw area, the Sorg family has owned the dealership in Goshen for 43 years. The Goshen business was founded by Dennis Sorg (Toby and Randy's father) and his brother Richard Sorg, who died in 1978. Dennis died last year, and now his sons share the business 50/50. Randy has been involved in the family business full-time since 1981, and Toby since 1989.
According to Toby, the Sorgs have wanted to enter the market in Warsaw for some time, but were waiting for the right opportunity.
"We've known for a long time that (Warsaw) would be a natural fit," Toby said. "This is the area where we wanted to come. We like this community and want to be part of this community."
In June the wheels started turning with the deal to purchase the Petro Brothers Dealership. The Sorgs spoke with Steve Petro and worked out the deal to buy the Warsaw business. Things went smoothly, and by September, the Sorgs were in the Warsaw market and Sorg South was born.
"We are happy to be in Kosciusko County," Toby said. "We have wanted to be here for a while, but would only do it if we could be involved with a Chrysler dealership in the right area."
The past month has been spent getting familiar with the new business and making a few changes.
The Sorgs repainted the building and put up temporary signs with the dealership's new name. Permanent signs have been ordered and will be installed when they are finished.
A new computer system also has been installed and the "bugs" currently are being worked out of that system. The computers will have the integrated dealer management system to make service more efficient and customer-friendly.
The Sorgs also plan to add more inventory to their lot. In September alone, the Sorgs purchased more than 30 cars to add to the Warsaw lot. In all, the Sorg dealerships have more than 200 cars available on two lots.
The Sorgs also have implemented a loaner car program fro the service department. Appointments are scheduled as conveniently as possible, but loaner car now will be available if needed.
Along with new vehicles, Toby said the dealership specializes in selling 2003, 2004 and 2005 models.
But the Sorgs don't plan to change their business strategy.
"For 43 years we have been doing business the right way," Toby said. "We have been a 5-star certified sales dealership In Goshen (since the inception of the current rating system) and we strive to be a five-start dealership here as well."
According to the official Chrysler Wed site, www.chrysler.com, "To earn the title of 'Five Star,' Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep® dealerships must first meet specific requirements set by DaimlerChrysler in the areas of customer satisfaction, employee training and customer follow-up. For example, a Five Star dealership must follow up with every sales and service customer to make sure they are completely satisfied. This is how you can be assured that, at a Five Star dealership you the customer, are in the driver's seat. Whether you're buying, leasing, servicing, or buying parts for a Chrysler, Dodge, or Jeep® vehicle, look for the Five Star sign as a symbol you can trust for total satisfaction."
The Sorgs also bring along experienced employees from their Goshen business and kept experienced employees who already worked at the Warsaw location.
"Loyalty is important with employers, and we have some great employees," Toby said. "Our employees really are family, they are very tight knit. Steve had that here, and we look forward to doing that here as well."
Some long-time Goshen employees who will be familiar faces in the Warsaw location are: Steve Trenshaw, part director, who has been with the Sorg dealership since it's inception 43 years ago; Keith Mast, service director, has been with Sorg since 1987; and Ryan Sark, general manager, has been with Sorg for nine years.
Several employees from the Warsaw dealership stayed on with the new owners, including Joyce Houser, office manager, who has been Warsaw for 27 years, and Rick Flauding, service manager, who has worked in Warsaw for nine years.
"Randy and I are very hands-on," Toby said. "We plan to do anything it takes. People no longer need to go to Fort Wayne, our prices are going to be aggressive and our service is aggressive. We want to provide everything larger city dealers offer."
The Sorgs look forward to continued growth and customer satisfaction in the Warsaw area.
Toby and his wife Lisa have three children, Madeline, 10; Grady, 8; and Sophia, 4.
Randy has two daughters, Ally 18, and Samantha, 15. He is engaged to Kelly.[[In-content Ad]]
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Sorg South opened its doors Sept. 4 at the former Petro Brothers Chrysler Dodge and Jeep dealership, but the Sorg name has been in the car business for more than 43 years.
Toby and Randy Sorg, owners of the Sorg Dodge in Goshen, purchased the Warsaw dealership from Steve Petro, who decided to retire earlier this year after 28 years in the business.
While they are new to the Warsaw area, the Sorg family has owned the dealership in Goshen for 43 years. The Goshen business was founded by Dennis Sorg (Toby and Randy's father) and his brother Richard Sorg, who died in 1978. Dennis died last year, and now his sons share the business 50/50. Randy has been involved in the family business full-time since 1981, and Toby since 1989.
According to Toby, the Sorgs have wanted to enter the market in Warsaw for some time, but were waiting for the right opportunity.
"We've known for a long time that (Warsaw) would be a natural fit," Toby said. "This is the area where we wanted to come. We like this community and want to be part of this community."
In June the wheels started turning with the deal to purchase the Petro Brothers Dealership. The Sorgs spoke with Steve Petro and worked out the deal to buy the Warsaw business. Things went smoothly, and by September, the Sorgs were in the Warsaw market and Sorg South was born.
"We are happy to be in Kosciusko County," Toby said. "We have wanted to be here for a while, but would only do it if we could be involved with a Chrysler dealership in the right area."
The past month has been spent getting familiar with the new business and making a few changes.
The Sorgs repainted the building and put up temporary signs with the dealership's new name. Permanent signs have been ordered and will be installed when they are finished.
A new computer system also has been installed and the "bugs" currently are being worked out of that system. The computers will have the integrated dealer management system to make service more efficient and customer-friendly.
The Sorgs also plan to add more inventory to their lot. In September alone, the Sorgs purchased more than 30 cars to add to the Warsaw lot. In all, the Sorg dealerships have more than 200 cars available on two lots.
The Sorgs also have implemented a loaner car program fro the service department. Appointments are scheduled as conveniently as possible, but loaner car now will be available if needed.
Along with new vehicles, Toby said the dealership specializes in selling 2003, 2004 and 2005 models.
But the Sorgs don't plan to change their business strategy.
"For 43 years we have been doing business the right way," Toby said. "We have been a 5-star certified sales dealership In Goshen (since the inception of the current rating system) and we strive to be a five-start dealership here as well."
According to the official Chrysler Wed site, www.chrysler.com, "To earn the title of 'Five Star,' Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep® dealerships must first meet specific requirements set by DaimlerChrysler in the areas of customer satisfaction, employee training and customer follow-up. For example, a Five Star dealership must follow up with every sales and service customer to make sure they are completely satisfied. This is how you can be assured that, at a Five Star dealership you the customer, are in the driver's seat. Whether you're buying, leasing, servicing, or buying parts for a Chrysler, Dodge, or Jeep® vehicle, look for the Five Star sign as a symbol you can trust for total satisfaction."
The Sorgs also bring along experienced employees from their Goshen business and kept experienced employees who already worked at the Warsaw location.
"Loyalty is important with employers, and we have some great employees," Toby said. "Our employees really are family, they are very tight knit. Steve had that here, and we look forward to doing that here as well."
Some long-time Goshen employees who will be familiar faces in the Warsaw location are: Steve Trenshaw, part director, who has been with the Sorg dealership since it's inception 43 years ago; Keith Mast, service director, has been with Sorg since 1987; and Ryan Sark, general manager, has been with Sorg for nine years.
Several employees from the Warsaw dealership stayed on with the new owners, including Joyce Houser, office manager, who has been Warsaw for 27 years, and Rick Flauding, service manager, who has worked in Warsaw for nine years.
"Randy and I are very hands-on," Toby said. "We plan to do anything it takes. People no longer need to go to Fort Wayne, our prices are going to be aggressive and our service is aggressive. We want to provide everything larger city dealers offer."
The Sorgs look forward to continued growth and customer satisfaction in the Warsaw area.
Toby and his wife Lisa have three children, Madeline, 10; Grady, 8; and Sophia, 4.
Randy has two daughters, Ally 18, and Samantha, 15. He is engaged to Kelly.[[In-content Ad]]
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