Prestige Pontiac Buick GMC dealership closing in Ypsilanti Township
An Ypsilanti Township automotive dealership is closing as a result of General Motors Corp.'s decision to shutter over 1,000 outlets in the U.S.
Prestige Pontiac Buick GMC is winding down operations at its facility at 444 James L. Hart Parkway. New vehicles have been moved offsite, while remaining employees are taking care of administrative details and completing some service work.
The dealership was part of the Prestige Automotive dealership group, based in St. Clair Shores. Owner Gregory Jackson also owns the dealership property in Ypsilanti Township, located just south of I-94 at Huron Street.
Jackson did not return calls seeking comment.
The Ypsilanti Township dealership is among about 1,900 originally slated to close as GM worked through bankruptcy. The company announced Tuesday that 900 of those dealerships would not be closed.
An employee of the dealership said staff has been offered transfers to other facilities within the company.
Jackson also operates four other auto dealerships, according to his web site: Mercedes Benz of St. Clair Shores, Toyota of Warren, Prestige Courtesy Ford in Okemos and Orange Park Mitsubishi in Jacksonville, Fla.
The dealership paid over $106,000 in property taxes to Ypsilanti Township in 2009, according to township records. Its assessed value fell to $1.8 million in 2009 from $2.1 million in 2008. Jackson's company paid $4.3 million for the property in 2002.
Meanwhile, Prestige employees are referring customers to other nearby dealerships.
"We're saddened that it closed," said Larry Doe, township treasurer.
Paula Gardner is Business News Director of AnnArbor.com. Contact her at 734-623-2586 or by email. Sign up for the weekly Business Review newsletter, distributed every Thursday, here.
Comments
TOM
Tue, Jun 28, 2011 : 5:23 p.m.
I also worked there before they closed. It only serves them right for treating customers and employee's like trash. They promised the stars and they couldn't deliver................... Look at the track record this company has......................
dennis
Fri, May 13, 2011 : 11:09 p.m.
Mr Jackson is a fair guy but after working for him for 4 years and was fired for taking a trip down south , this is the BEST news i heard of , makes me laugh so hard
Rasputin
Thu, Jun 10, 2010 : 7:25 a.m.
Maybe they can replace it with another Honda dealership?
Monica
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 11:33 p.m.
I purchased my car from Prestige. Missed will be the free car washes and friendly staff. Regardless, I knew something was up when the dealership lot appeared lately a shadow of its' former self. Thanks Prestige for my car. You will be missed in Ypsilanti!
sportsfroma2
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 11:29 p.m.
if Chevrolet's website displays accurate distances, going off of Prestige's zip (48197) give the following distances: BILL CRISPIN CHEVROLET, INC. * Distance: 5.9 Miles * 7112 E MICHIGAN AVE * SALINE, MI 48176-8705 RANDY WISE CHEVROLET BUICK PONTIAC * Distance: 7.2 Miles * 1250 DEXTER ST * MILAN, MI 48160-1100 SUBURBAN CHEVROLET CADILLAC * Distance: 10.8 Miles * 3515 JACKSON RD * ANN ARBOR, MI 48103-1815 MARK CHEVROLET, INC. * Distance: 14.6 Miles * 33200 MICHIGAN AVE * WAYNE, MI 48184-1876 ________________________ interesting tidbit: Prestige is still listed on the website, lol
brad
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 9:47 p.m.
@Spyker: Mark Chevrolet in Wayne is a few miles closer than the GM dealership in Milan.
Spyker
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 8:14 p.m.
Wow! I believe this was the last remaining GM brand Dealership in the eastern half of Washtenaw County. The closest GM Dealership for Ypsilanti area residents is now in Milan. I have used Prestige for service repairs and parts for a variety of family vehicles over the past 10+ years and was always treated extremely well. Their closing will result in two abandoned Dealership properties adjacent to I-94 at the Whittaker Road/Huron Street exit.
Paula Gardner
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 1:13 p.m.
I think my mental block over this grammar rule is legendary at this point:) In my defense, I will say you'll never see me use "between" when "among" is required.
lumberg48108
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 1:05 p.m.
tsk tsk "The dealership paid over $106,000 in property taxes..." More than Paula, more than!