The only Saab dealerships in northeastern and central Pennsylvania have been notified by the company they will no longer be able to sell Saab vehicles.
Saabs have been on the lot at Kunkle Motors since 1957. That's about to change. The dealership in Luzerne County's Back Mountain is one of about 40 percent of Saab locations nationwide that got notice it's getting cut by the company.
"My grandfather started it as one of the original dealers, one of the first to be signed as a Saab dealer," said owner Tim Haddle. He has a display showing some of the memories from the dealership that's been passed from generation to generation. He can't believe the news. "To have customers who have been with us for 50 years, they're calling us all day to say what are we going to do, I don't have an answer for them."
"It was a total shock to us to receive the letter," said Chris Chermak of Joseph Chermak Saab in Clarks Summit. It will also lose its franchise as part of General Motors move to sell its Saab division. Part of the deal to sell Saab to Koenigsegg Group AB includes closing 81 of the 218 dealerships across the country. That leaves this part of the state wihtout a Saab dealership.
"My opinion is that these manufacturers are on their knees right now which made it even more surprising why they would cut a dealer here," added Chris Chermak.
Another big blow to Saab owners is that the two dealers will no longer be able to do Saab warranty work. The closest place for that will be the Lehigh Valley.
"We still have the knowledge, the technicians, they're factory trained. We have the equipment. We'll continue to do the service," said Chermak. "As far as the warranty work though, they're going to have to go to the dealer."
Both dealers in our area will continue their other operations.
Joseph Chermak will continue its Suzuki dealership and sell used vehicles. It will also continue servicing non-warranty Saab needs.
Kunkle Motors will do the same service and will also sell used cars.
Both said they will fight Saab to keep their franchises. They have already started the appeals process. They want customers to contact the company too.
Saabs have been on the lot at Kunkle Motors since 1957. That's about to change. The dealership in Luzerne County's Back Mountain is one of about 40 percent of Saab locations nationwide that got notice it's getting cut by the company.
"My grandfather started it as one of the original dealers, one of the first to be signed as a Saab dealer," said owner Tim Haddle. He has a display showing some of the memories from the dealership that's been passed from generation to generation. He can't believe the news. "To have customers who have been with us for 50 years, they're calling us all day to say what are we going to do, I don't have an answer for them."
"It was a total shock to us to receive the letter," said Chris Chermak of Joseph Chermak Saab in Clarks Summit. It will also lose its franchise as part of General Motors move to sell its Saab division. Part of the deal to sell Saab to Koenigsegg Group AB includes closing 81 of the 218 dealerships across the country. That leaves this part of the state wihtout a Saab dealership.
"My opinion is that these manufacturers are on their knees right now which made it even more surprising why they would cut a dealer here," added Chris Chermak.
Another big blow to Saab owners is that the two dealers will no longer be able to do Saab warranty work. The closest place for that will be the Lehigh Valley.
"We still have the knowledge, the technicians, they're factory trained. We have the equipment. We'll continue to do the service," said Chermak. "As far as the warranty work though, they're going to have to go to the dealer."
Both dealers in our area will continue their other operations.
Joseph Chermak will continue its Suzuki dealership and sell used vehicles. It will also continue servicing non-warranty Saab needs.
Kunkle Motors will do the same service and will also sell used cars.
Both said they will fight Saab to keep their franchises. They have already started the appeals process. They want customers to contact the company too.
