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06-25-2009, 01:08 PM
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Dalgleish Cadillac, the only remaining Cadillac dealer in the city of Detroit, is being forced into closure next year as a part of General Motors' restructuring plan. This isn't just sad because the dealership has been selling Caddy's in Detroit since 1954. And its symbolism extends beyond GM's current problems or even the company's 100 year history.
The city of Detroit, originally Fort Pontchartrain du Detroit, was founded in 1701 by a French explorer. That man's name was Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac. Yup, the guy the cars are named after.
And in case that isn't sad enough for you, Dalgleish Cadillac is located across the street from where the first Caddy was made, back in 1902.
When Doug Dalgleish, the 80-year-old owner of Dalgleish Cadillac got the news from GM he was appalled. "They didn't even have the guts to sign anyone's name."
The dealership actually passed an initial round of closings but was later notified that its contract would not be renewed in 2010. The notice was appealed, but GM rejected it.
Doug Dalgleish's son (also named Doug) believes that the closure will hurt General Motors and says that a lot of Cadillac customers buy from Dalgleish not so much because of the cars, but because of the relationships they have built up over the years.
"GM thinks their product is stronger than it is," he said in an interview with Automotive News. "But people buy from us and other mom-and-pop dealers around the country because we've served them for generations. Once we're gone, I think GM will lose those customers."
More: GM Forcing Last Cadillac Dealer in Detroit to Close (http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2009/06/gm-forcing-last-cadillac-dealer-in-detroit-to-close.html) on AutoGuide.com
Dalgleish Cadillac, the only remaining Cadillac dealer in the city of Detroit, is being forced into closure next year as a part of General Motors' restructuring plan. This isn't just sad because the dealership has been selling Caddy's in Detroit since 1954. And its symbolism extends beyond GM's current problems or even the company's 100 year history.
The city of Detroit, originally Fort Pontchartrain du Detroit, was founded in 1701 by a French explorer. That man's name was Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac. Yup, the guy the cars are named after.
And in case that isn't sad enough for you, Dalgleish Cadillac is located across the street from where the first Caddy was made, back in 1902.
When Doug Dalgleish, the 80-year-old owner of Dalgleish Cadillac got the news from GM he was appalled. "They didn't even have the guts to sign anyone's name."
The dealership actually passed an initial round of closings but was later notified that its contract would not be renewed in 2010. The notice was appealed, but GM rejected it.
Doug Dalgleish's son (also named Doug) believes that the closure will hurt General Motors and says that a lot of Cadillac customers buy from Dalgleish not so much because of the cars, but because of the relationships they have built up over the years.
"GM thinks their product is stronger than it is," he said in an interview with Automotive News. "But people buy from us and other mom-and-pop dealers around the country because we've served them for generations. Once we're gone, I think GM will lose those customers."
More: GM Forcing Last Cadillac Dealer in Detroit to Close (http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2009/06/gm-forcing-last-cadillac-dealer-in-detroit-to-close.html) on AutoGuide.com