Boulder’s Fisher dealership transitions from Chevrolet to Kia
By Alicia Wallace Camera Business Writer
After more than 40 years as a Chevrolet dealer, the family-run Fisher auto dealership in Boulder is transitioning from the iconic American brand to Kia, a decision triggered by General Motors’ bankruptcy earlier this year.
“We think it’ll be a good deal,” said Craig Fisher, owner of Fisher Auto Inc., which runs Fisher Honda and, now, Fisher Kia.
Fisher said he received the “emotional and disappointing” news in June from the beleaguered GM that its Chevrolet business was one of thousands to be cut nationwide. The local operation wasn’t given a reason why or given a chance to appeal, he added.
“We decided we’ve got to move on,” he said.
GM did not disclose which dealers were cut and left it to them whether to make that information public.
Fisher’s officials spent the summer looking at various brands and settled on Kia Motors because its vehicles appear to be going more upscale and also offer “a lot of car for the money,” he said.
Fisher said he is optimistic about the transition, noting that his dealership has a wide coverage area and that traffic at his dealership has improved during the summer — thanks in part to 110 “Cash for Clunkers” deals.
“Since October of ’08 through April of ’09, it was a difficult business climate, but it seemed like when May came along, the business has picked up considerably.”
On Thursday, the transition was complete — it was Fisher’s final day as a Chevrolet dealer and first as a Kia dealer. Fisher said he expects to have the Kia vehicles on the lot off 60th and Arapahoe as soon as next week.
Fisher was not the only Boulder County auto dealer affected by GM’s decision to thin out its ranks for its financial health.
Longmont’s Hajek Chevrolet received word in May that its dealership was on the chopping block. Manager Brett Hajek said his family continues to talk with GM about reversing the decision and has received some positive comments from the manufacturer.
“We’re plugging along business as normal and business has actually been good for us,” he said.
Officials for Longmont-based King Auto Group, the other local dealership to reportedly receive a letter from GM, could not be reached for comment.
Other local dealerships appear to have been spared from the cuts. Broomfield-based Century Chevrolet did not receive a letter from GM, officials said. Mark McCaddon, owner of Boulder’s McCaddon Cadillac Buick Pontiac GMC, has told the Camera that he also did not receive notification from GM.
