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Fresh start for local GM dealership
Robinson Buick GMC owners Cindy Robinson (right), Ted Kohli (left) and Sam Hirani look forward to continuing to sell and service GM products just as they have for the past 45 years.
by Heather Grummett
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Operating as a family run business in Guelph for 45 years, Robinson Pontiac, originally located downtown, was purchased by Howard Robinson in August 1965. Ten years later, the Robinson dealership would be the first automotive dealership to relocate to its current location on Woodlawn Road, in what has become known as the Guelph Automall. An award winning business, Robinson Pontiac was the proud recipient of the Triple Crown Award in 2005, a recognition given to the top General Motors dealers for exceeding customer's expectations in Sales, Service, Parts, and Accessories. Plus, Howard Robinson received the Milestone Award for 41 years of dedicated service as a General Motors dealer. Through the years the dealership has grown to include a staff of 48 employees. In 2007 the business was purchased by longtime employees, Cindy Robinson, Howard’s daughter–having worked at the dealership since 1985; Ted Kohli–team member since 1974 and Sales Manager since 1979; along with Sam Hirani, who has lead the wholesale division since 1996. In early 2009, Robinson Pontiac completed $2 million worth of major renovations deemed necessary by GM– including an expanded showroom, waiting lounge and service bays plus a service drive-thru for customer's convenience. Shortly after the renovations were complete, the owners received a letter from GM, identifying them as one of the Canadian dealers whose Sales and Service agreement would not be renewed. GM Canada, at the request of the Federal and Ontario Governments, accelerated its restructuring and released
a revised, more aggressive Operating Plan in April 2009, which included plans to reduce the number of GM dealerships in Canada by approximately 42%. A wind down agreement gave the dealerships until December 2009 to close. “After 42 years of dedication to the GM brand, my reaction became one of wanting to protect what my father had built,” says Cindy Robinson. Robinson was not alone in her desire to standup to GM, and 21 dealerships across Canada joined together to bring a legal suit against the manufacturer to overturn their decision. “It was a very long and emotional time which took a lot of energy away from the day to day business,” adds Robinson. “We had such great support from our customers, employees and the community.” Customers not only continued to purchase cars, and service vehicles, many wrote letters in support of the business to GM. Local MP Frank Valeriote, also the Chair of the Official Oppositions Auto Caucus, took a policitcal initiative to push GM to reverse the decision. However GM was attempting to split up the multi-party suit, to fight each dealership independently. In March 2010 the dealers’ legal counsel, lead by
Jonathan Lisus, won a motion to keep the group together. After fifteen months, the dealerships were successful in resolving their lawsuit against General Motors. A decision was received in August of 2010 with 11 dealerships retaining their businesses and the remainder agreeing to settlements. Guelph’s Robinson Pontiac will become Robinson Buick GMC and remains a GM dealership, continuing to sell and service GM products just as they have for the past 45 years. Unfortunately 240 dealerships across Canada did close during GM’s restructuring, including Saturn, Saab and other GM providers. Despite one of the most challenging years for GM and the entire automotive industry, GM Canada reported in January 2010 that it retained its status as Canada’s automotive sales leader delivering 254,257 vehicles for the calendar year. On November 30, GM Canada announced the addition of another shift at the Oshawa plant, for the Buick Regal and the Camero Convertible line, recalling 700 workers. The second major rehiring in a month, the two new shifts will see 1300 people hired–most who were previously laid off,
plus 300 new workers. It is the first time since 2002 that GM has hired new people to the assembly plant. While it shows the automotive industry is recovering, the 4400 workers today, up from 3100 in September of 2010, still doesn’t compare to the 8900 workers that were employeed in Oshawa in 2008, and the 23,000 workers in the mid 1980’s. “Car sales in general are gaining momentum, both in Canada and the U.S. The availability of leasing is coming back slowly, although for now it is only available on Buick and Cadillac products,” comments Robinson. “Personally, we find car sales are continuing to grow. Although Pontiac was a big brand for us, we have had to switch our focus to new GMC and Buick products, with a larger used car department. The vehicles however are changing–Buick is coming out with some great new products. What was once considered a more conservative line of Buick cars are now appealing to a wider and younger crowd.” “We appreciate that the communitiy was behind us with their loyalty and support,” adds Robinson. “We stood up for what we believed in. We fought hard and we are looking forward to being here well into the future.”
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