Suburban Collection to acquire Chrysler Jeep of Ann Arbor

By Ben Freed Business Reporter

Posted on Tue, Jun 5, 2012 : 2:59 p.m.

Suburban Collection, based in Troy, is working on a deal to acquire Chrysler Jeep of Ann Arbor. The transaction should be completed by the end of June, according to Suburban Collection General Manager Ron MacEachern.

"We’re very excited to expand our presence in Ann Arbor," MacEarchern said. "It's a great car market."

Chrysler Jeep of Ann Arbor, formerly Naylor Chrysler Jeep, is located at 2060 W. Stadium Blvd.

Dr. Benn Gilmore, a former ears, nose and throat doctor, gained sole ownership of the dealership in March of this year. Dr. Gilmore did not return multiple calls by AnnArbor.com.

In 2009, as part of their bankruptcy restructuring,Chrysler closed nearly 800 dealerships - representing about 25% of their dealers - across America. As of February 2012, 43 of those dealers had regained their franchises.

In May, Chrysler reported a 30% sales increase, its best May since 2007. Those numbers have Suburban Collection feeling bullish about prospects for the dealership.

"We can’t wait to expand our footprint here," MacEarchern said. "We have already begun looking at expanding the physical building to create more room, and we are looking at trying to add a Dodge franchise to the dealership as well."

There are already six Dodge franchises within a 17-mile radius of downtown Ann Arbor, and Chrysler cited over-crowding of franchises as one of the major factors during the 2009 closings.

Suburban Collection already operates a Chevrolet and Cadillac dealership on Jackson Road in Ann Arbor.

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