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| More to car deals than giveaways and low
price When Bill Howlett opened his Chevrolet dealership in 1954,
there were no V-8 engines, air conditioning was unheard of, and an order for an automatic
transmission was rare. Only a half-dozen options were available on automobiles. If the
1954 car buyer wanted a heater, even that had to be specially installed at the dealership.
Bill Howlett sold 80 new cars that first year, emphasizing fine service
and individual attention with every customer. He continues that tradition today. Although
special bargains and selling events are important promotional activities, he believes
there’s more to being a car dealer than low price and giveaways. It’s quality
service and personal concern that are to the advantage of the small-town dealership, he
says. As a result, car buyers from a five county area have learned that they can count on
Howlett Chevrolet for every automotive need from sale and leasing to mechanical servicing,
parts, bodywork, financing and insurance. |
Sales Department
A
friendly six member Sales Department headed by Manager Shirley Washer will show you that
the complete line of new Chevrolets are the finest cars and trucks on the market today.
There’s always a great selection of models and equipment just waiting for a test
drive. And on our used car lot, you can be sure of getting plenty of unused mileage. Each
used car has been closely inspected and where necessary, reconditioned.
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See us for financing, insurance, leasing
Behind the scenes, an efficient office staff offers financing capabilities
through GMAC and four local banks. In addition, customers’ insurance needs can be
handled here through Motorists Insurance Corporation and Investor’s Life Insurance
Company. We also arrange leasing of cars and trucks on a 12 to 36 month basis.
We’re the ones to keep your car running smoothly
"After the sale, it’s the service that counts."
The company’s initial emphasis that has never changed.
After you buy a new or used car or truck, that's not the end of it.
We're the ones to take care of your vehicle and keep it running smoothly over the years.
We have the latest tools and equipment, plus the expert knowledge of an 11-member service
team. For example, our Service Department was first in this case to install diagnostic
equipment that quickly pinpoints mechanical problems - and that saves both your time and
ours. Service Manager Wilford Arnold and four of his staff members are certified by the
National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and keep up to date on service
procedures by regularly attending General Motor's sponsored Training Centers. If a part
needs to be replaced, chances are Parts Manager Maurice Arnold will have it stocked in his
4,500 - square foot department. Keeping up with customer demands for unique automotive
equipment, Howlett Chevrolet recently was appointed the local authorized installation
center for name brand convertible T-tops. |
The above article appeared in
The News-Democrat in December
1967
Auburn Firm Gets
National Award
The
News-Democrat December 7, 1967
A Logan County automobile dealership and how it
prepares used cars for resale is the subject of an article in a national trade magazine.
The November issue of Communication Central, a service publication for Chevrolet retail
managers, discusses the Howlett Chevrolet dealership in Auburn, comparing it favorably
with one in Corpus Christi, Tex. Corpus Christi has a population of some 200,000; Auburn
has 1,000.
Shirley Washer, sales manager at Howlett, has four
new and used unit salesmen. They sold 405 used units last year, a good many to repeat
customers, according to Communication Central.
Company suggested practices in reconditioning are
followed. In Auburn, reconditioning is done by a one-man "crew", but is separate
from service operations. Walter McFall, a 15-year Howlett employee, performs the
reconditioning in a converted filling station that adjoins the dealership's other
operations. Occasionally, when volume warrants, another service employee helps him.
The dealership has new electronic diagnostic
equipment which is used to check used cars and trucks.
Howlett Chevrolet has found that greater profits
and repeat business come from extra investment in reconditioning used cars and trucks.
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