|
|
"I don't think one person can keep a finger on everything," he said.
Despite declining auto sales nationally, the three brothers said the dealership will weather the recession.
"We've been through downturns before and survived them," Jim Feltmann Jr. said. "Some of it goes back to the foundation of the company.
"Our grandfather founded the business on service and it kept us going through the downturn of World War II," he said.
The company's service department continues to do well.
"If you had a store built totally on sales in a downturn, you would have problems," John Feltmann said.
Modern Auto also offers body repair and is a direct repair facility for many major insurance companies.
Employees also have been helping cut costs.
"In the downturn, we've got a good group of people helping us cut costs," Joe Feltmann said.
During the hiring process, the company seeks employees for the long term.
"You hire somebody to become a part of the family," Jim Feltmann Jr. said. "In addition to talent, you also have to look to see how they get along with the other employees and the customers."
Some employees stick around for decades.
"We've got a couple of techs who have been with us 35 to 40 years," Joe Feltmann said.
"We have no say in what is going to happen (with General Motors) in Detroit so we just control what goes on here," Jim Feltmann Jr. said.
There has been an uptick in sales and service in May which Joe Feltmann attributes to incentives and solid values in the used car market.
The dealership has been operating out of its 52,000-square-foot facility on Highway 100 for about five years. The previous 85 were spent in Downtown Washington.
"It was surprising the number of people who just would not drive the one mile from Highway 100 to Main Street," Jim Feltmann Jr. said.
The current location provides greater visibility.
"We have more and more people moving to the area that work in the area too and now they know exactly where we are instead of just seeing a sign," Joe Feltmann said.
The company, founded in 1919 by the brothers' grandfather, John Feltmann, began as an auto repair business.
It prospered and in 1925 it received a Chevrolet franchise.
The company settled at its Main and Jefferson location in 1931.
An Oldsmobile franchise followed in 1935 and a Cadillac franchise followed in 1948.
Founder John Feltmann's son, Jim Feltmann Sr., came on board in 1949.
In 1997 the current owners purchased the majority interest in the company from their father, who is now retired.
In 1998, Modern Auto acquired the Pontiac-GMC and Buick franchises from Ron Elbert.
As a business rooted in the community, the company continues to support area civic groups and other programs.
"We're still trying to support a lot of local organizations. You get that thank-you note from one of the children who was involved and it makes it worth it," Joe Feltmann said.
Donations have declined somewhat, the three brothers said, but the company still gives to the community when it can.
Modern Auto currently employs about 50 people, including its fourth generation, Brian and Matthew Feltmann.
The service department, headed by John Feltmann, is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The parts department, headed by Joe Feltmann, is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays.
The sales department, headed by Jim Feltmann Jr., is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
Modern Auto currently carries Chevy, Buick, GMC, Pontiac and Cadillac new vehicles as well as certified Cadillac, GM and Saturn used vehicles and other used vehicles.
