Sorg Lands Nissan Franchise
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Gary [email protected]
Sorg said Friday he has secured a full-service Nissan dealership at his location on Ind. 15N. The new Sorg Nissan could begin selling cars as early as Sept. 1.[[In-content Ad]]For many years, the location housed the Petro Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge dealership. Sorg purchased the Chrysler franchise from Steve Petro in September 2007 and started doing business as Sorg South. Sorg's family also owns the Chrysler dealership in Goshen.
Sorg said the dealership was doing as well as could be expected during the economic slump and resultant downturn in cars sales during 2008.
Nonetheless, bad news came in May this year when Sorg learned his dealership was one of hundreds slated for closure as part of Chrysler's bankruptcy proceedings.
"People in this town were very upset with Chrysler," Sorg said. "But sometimes when one door closes, another opens."
Sorg said he began exploring other franchise opportunities immediately after receiving word from Chrysler. "It became our main priority," he said.
He said his dealership is in a great location near other new car dealers and has great access off Ind. 15. "We felt pretty confident someone would see the value of this location," he said.
Someone did.
Sorg received confirmation this week that he has been approved as a Nissan dealer. The new Nissan franchise will be in Sorg's existing facility. There will be renovations including new signage, and interior and exterior upgrades.
The building that housed the former Warsaw Nissan dealership north of Sorg has been for sale and will remain for sale.
"Every former Warsaw Nissan customer will be welcomed here with open arms," Sorg said. "They will be treated as VIPs, just as if they had bought their car here."
Sorg said Nissan already has a significant presence and brand loyalty in Kosciusko County because of the previous Nissan dealer. One of that dealer's sales associates, Doug Shidler, is already on board at Sorg.
"We're excited about the product line that Nissan offers," Sorg said. "They've got great fuel mileage cars. They've got great quality cars."
Sorg said he anticipates hiring five or six employees as the dealership opens.
"We feel very fortunate. We wanted to remain a part of this community and Nissan gives us that opportunity," he said.
Even after the dealership makes the transition to Nissan, Sorg said it will continue servicing Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles in all but warranty work.
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Sorg said Friday he has secured a full-service Nissan dealership at his location on Ind. 15N. The new Sorg Nissan could begin selling cars as early as Sept. 1.[[In-content Ad]]For many years, the location housed the Petro Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge dealership. Sorg purchased the Chrysler franchise from Steve Petro in September 2007 and started doing business as Sorg South. Sorg's family also owns the Chrysler dealership in Goshen.
Sorg said the dealership was doing as well as could be expected during the economic slump and resultant downturn in cars sales during 2008.
Nonetheless, bad news came in May this year when Sorg learned his dealership was one of hundreds slated for closure as part of Chrysler's bankruptcy proceedings.
"People in this town were very upset with Chrysler," Sorg said. "But sometimes when one door closes, another opens."
Sorg said he began exploring other franchise opportunities immediately after receiving word from Chrysler. "It became our main priority," he said.
He said his dealership is in a great location near other new car dealers and has great access off Ind. 15. "We felt pretty confident someone would see the value of this location," he said.
Someone did.
Sorg received confirmation this week that he has been approved as a Nissan dealer. The new Nissan franchise will be in Sorg's existing facility. There will be renovations including new signage, and interior and exterior upgrades.
The building that housed the former Warsaw Nissan dealership north of Sorg has been for sale and will remain for sale.
"Every former Warsaw Nissan customer will be welcomed here with open arms," Sorg said. "They will be treated as VIPs, just as if they had bought their car here."
Sorg said Nissan already has a significant presence and brand loyalty in Kosciusko County because of the previous Nissan dealer. One of that dealer's sales associates, Doug Shidler, is already on board at Sorg.
"We're excited about the product line that Nissan offers," Sorg said. "They've got great fuel mileage cars. They've got great quality cars."
Sorg said he anticipates hiring five or six employees as the dealership opens.
"We feel very fortunate. We wanted to remain a part of this community and Nissan gives us that opportunity," he said.
Even after the dealership makes the transition to Nissan, Sorg said it will continue servicing Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles in all but warranty work.
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