Posted by
Mark Polege on Tuesday, June 09, 2009 8:00:00 AM
Ever stop to think about the car dealers, dealerships, and the effect they have on a community? Sure, some of them have outrageous commercials which is understandable considering the amount of competition in the industry, but if you think about it, having a car dealership is also part of the American dream. We have one of the widest selection of vehicles to choose from probably in the world. It is also one of those kinds of businesses that draw smart, ambitious immigrants to this country in hopes of finding the dream for themselves. It is also one of those business, kind of like the brewing companies used to be in this country, that have a long history. Some dealerships have literally been around for over 100 years. You can’t survive that long unless you bring more to a community that just cars.
Car dealerships are a part of the backbone of any community no matter how big or small it may be. It of course employs the manufacturers who make the cars to sell, the sales people and mechanics, but other jobs it creates in the area are other mechanic shops for those who can’t pay dealership rates, which leads to towing companies, auto body repair shops, car audio shops, and the list goes on. As you can see that number of jobs can add up real quick. And the kicker is, no one cares if these people are Democrats, Republicans, or are fresh off the ship from Mars. They are all hard working Americans trying to provide for their family, save for the future, and live life the best they can.
Part of them living their lives also involves the charity organizations dealerships assist. Have you ever seen an ad for a car dealership in a yearbook or some other school affiliation or associated with a non-profit? Think of all the ways in which Anheuser-Busch supports the community in St.Louis but think smaller. In many small communities car dealerships have that kind of an impact or footprint.
In the smaller communities I have traveled through or lived in before returning to St.Louis, I mainly saw American made vehicles on the road, especially when you think about all the SUV and pick-up trucks. If there is any sacrilege at all it is that Hummer, a vehicle based on the HUMVEE’s some of us drove in the military, is going to China. The one really makes me take pause.