Two auto dealers close their doors in Auto Mall

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers NO LONGER OPEN- Courtesy Chevrolet is one of two car dealers to recently close in the Thousand Oaks Auto Mall, a sign the economy has hit a low point for Conejo Valley. The city hopes other dealers will replace both of the enterprises. The other dealership represented Chrysler/Dodge. Two Thousand Oaks car dealerships have closed within the last two weeks, but both are expected to be replaced quickly.

Courtesy Chevrolet closed its parts and service department on Feb. 6 and its sales department on Feb. 9. Courtesy Chevrolet operated in Thousand Oaks for 41 years.

"We tried to sell the dealership to a number of people, but GMAC (General Motors Acceptance Corporation) pulled our flooring," said Courtesy Chevrolet owner John McClure.

GMAC financed the cars that were at the dealership waiting to be sold. Some dealers buy the cars directly from General Motors; others finance them through GMAC.

"We have lots of loyal customers, but 75 (percent) to 80 percent of the auto sales in Thousand Oaks are imports, and that doesn't leave a lot for us. We were not selling enough cars or trucks," McClure said.

Sixty-seven employees lost their jobs—salespeople, mechanics, parts employees, office help and finance managers.

"It's sad this had to happen," McClure said.

"The closure is most unfortunate, but there is another dealer in the county looking to acquire it," said Gary Wartik, T.O. economic manager.

Wartik didn't say which dealership might replace Courtesy Chevrolet.

On Fri., Feb. 13, Westoaks Chrysler Dodge closed its doors, surprising the employees who showed up for work. Westoaks is owned by Rusnak Auto Group, which also owns the local BMW, Audi and Porsche dealerships.

Rusnak closed Westoaks to make room for the Rusnak Auto Outlet, marketing director Tom Valasek said.

Some of the Westoaks employees will keep their jobs or transfer to other Rusnak dealerships; some will lose their jobs, he said. Valesek didn't give exact numbers.

It will be Rusnak's second outlet dealership. The company's Loma Linda store sells certified pre-owned vehicles.

"We're looking forward to a lot of growth," said Valesek, who pointed out that today's economy lends itself to people buying preowned cars.

"The Thousand Oaks Auto Mall is a great location," he said.