I learned on January 14th that Ford has pulled our Lincoln-Mercury franchise as part of its consolidation effort to sell all its products together at one dealership. The owner of our dealership has told us that our store will go on selling used cars, and that all departments, except for new cars of course, will proceed as usual. FoMoCo apparently paid a handsome sum to buy us out of the franchise.

So everything's up in the air at the moment. Just one more reason for me not to sleep at night.

Our used car department has been going like gangbusters since a new manager was hired several months ago. His team was able to sell 80 cars last month, with a goal to reach and maintain 100 cars per month, which is good, and, we're told, outsold many, if not all, larger dealerships in our area.

Our location has been a Lincoln-Mercury dealership since 1948.

Sad.

Good luck to you, Ocn.

Thanks, Camino. Things will be very uncertain for a while. First to come is a name change for our business. I hope we can go on for a long time. I just want work stability, is that too much to ask?

Well, I don't know how body shops work in your neck of the woods, but in California, you don't have to be affiliated with a new car franchise to have good business. Also, independent shops get certified by manufactures too.

That sucks...

I hope the "new" dealership does well.

I hope it all works out for you...

I am sorry and I know you are uneasy right now, but I wish and pray and hope for the best of you. The industry is changing and consolidating so fast. I hope you will get news to put your mind at ease..

I hope everything works out for you ocn!

Thanks everyone. Major upheavals like this usually mean every department gets scrutinized, and some changes are inevitable. The bodyshop has been a major income generator for the business for years, so we're all hoping we come out the other side relatively unscathed. We'll see. It's almost like starting at a brand new company, with all those uncertainties.

It sounds like the best of a situation that otherwise could be bad, and that's a very good thing. I think you're in a good area, with solid business and able management, so cheers to everything staying on as it is and better.

The uncertainty can drive you insane, try not yo let it

Well thanks, I'll try not to. We learned today our status is on hold.

Well thanks, I'll try not to. We learned today our status is on hold.

Errr...and I presume few know exactly what "hold" means? That's odd, but again, not bad per say.