Several Manitoba GM dealerships to close

At least five Manitoba GM dealerships are being shut down, including one of Winnipeg's largest and one of the province's oldest.

GM Canada on Wednesday informed hundreds of dealers across the country they would have to close. The list of the dealerships have not been made public, but CBC News has learned those in Manitoba include:

• Birchwood Pontiac Buick GMC (Winnipeg).
• Fowler Pontiac (Brandon).
• Gillis Garage (Elie).
• Brodeur Brothers (St. Adolphe).
• Rosenort Motors (Rosenort).
• Parkwood Auto (Erickson). 

  'It's getting a little emotional here. They're coming in and they're wishing us the best.' —Mark Thiessen, Rosenort Motors

Steve Chipman, president of the Birchwood Automotive Group, said he knew something would happen in the marketplace when GM announced earlier this month that it would be eliminating the Pontiac brand, but he admits that being told one of his dealerships would be closed was still a bit of a surprise.

"There's still going to be customers out there. People are going to need cars [and] the population of Manitoba is still buying cars," he said, noting Birchwood Pontiac Buick GMC, one of the largest dealerships in Winnipeg, posted a record profit last year and is on track for stellar sales in 2009.

"Our sales are almost the same level this year. The economy of Manitoba is great, so our business is really good. Our service business has been up this year — our used car business is great — so [GM's decision] is a little bit of a surprise because we had a successful operation."

Dealerships an important component of small-town economy

Mark Thiessen at Rosenort Motors, which has been operating since 1960, said local residents have been really supportive since they learned the dealership would be closed.

"It's getting a little emotional here. They're coming in and they're wishing us the best," he said.

'I think business is business but there's heartlessness involved in this announcement.' —Bob Stefaniuk, mayor of the Rural Municipality of Ritchot

Gillis Garage in Elie has been around since 1939. Chad Gillis, sales manager for the business, which has been in the family for three generations, said it will cease being a GM dealership as of Dec. 31 but will continue to operate as a used car dealer and service garage.

He is not sure how the decision by GM will affect Gillis' 20 employees.

Bob Stefaniuk, mayor of the Rural Municipality of Ritchot, said the economy in St. Adolphe will take a hit without the Brodeur Brothers dealership, which employs about 20 people.

"A business that is here is very precious to this community," he said, calling the decision by GM "callous."

"I think business is business but there's heartlessness involved in this announcement."

Chipman said Birchwood Pontiac Buick GMC will also remain open until Dec. 31. He is now planning the future for the dealership's 60 employees and awaiting word on the fate of his eight other dealerships.

Among those are Saturn of Regent and Saturn Saab of Pointe West. Earlier this year, GM said it planned to either sell or shut down its Saturn and Saab brands, but Chipman hasn't been notified of anything regarding those dealerships.