Paynesville area car dealers have not experienced any major effects from the month-long General Motors (GM) strike.Lane Laubach of Laubach Chevrolet and Buick on Highway 55 said they are starting to feel the effects but not drastically. “I think the strike is affecting the bigger dealers more than the small town dealers,” Laubach said.
“We have enough inventory for a couple more weeks. However, it is starting to affect our used car inventory,” Laubach added. “The bigger dealers are going to the car auctions and buying the good used cars. In ordering new cars, people are going to have to be patient and wait. All new cars are on hold,” he said.
Dick Johnson of Vern Johnson Motors, Highway 23, said he hasn’t felt any impact at this point. However, down the road, that may be another story.
“At present, we have an adequate inventory. If we don’t have the correct vehicle for an individual, I’ll call around to other dealers and we’ll trade. The system allows us a wide range of opportunities. It is a win-win situation for all involved,” Johnson said.
“My used inventory selection is very good as I stocked up prior to the strike. If a person wants a new car, the time period to receive the car is unknown if I can’t find it at another dealer,” Johnson said.
Dan Wall at Yarmon Ford and Mercury, west Highway 23, said they haven’t felt any affects from the strike. “We have our own parts depots and are getting our supplies when needed. Because of the strike, we are selling more cars than before,” he added.
As of last week, General Motors had lost $1.2 billion due to the strike at the two parts plants in Flint, Mich., according to the Associated Press articles.
The strikes have shut down 25 assembly plants and more than 100 parts plants across North America and has idled about 175,000 workers. Analysts estimate that the strikes are costing GM about $80 million a day in lost production.
The United Auto Workers has accused GM of a strategy of sending U.S. jobs to Mexico and overseas and has acknowledged the Flint strikes have national implications. But it maintains they are primarily over local plant grievances involving health and safety violations, work-rule disputes and subcontracting issues.