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Two area Saab dealers lose dealership rights
By Andrew M. Seder aseder@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
KUNKLE – For 52 years new Saabs have been sold in this Dallas Township village. But by year’s end that will no longer be the case.
Kunkle Motors has been informed that it will be one of 81 Saab dealers in the United States that will have its dealership rights terminated once the company is sold to Swedish carmaker Koenigsegg. General Motors, which has overseen Saab, filed for bankruptcy in June and put the Saab brand up for sale. GM notified the terminated dealerships of the decision last week.
“It feels like someone just pulled the rug out from underneath me,” said Tim Haddle, owner of Kunkle Motors. Besides his dealership, Joseph Chermak Inc., the only other Saab dealer in Northeast Pennsylvania was also informed it will have its Saab agreement terminated. Chermak operates in Clarks Summit but also sells Suzukis.
“It’s just astounding to me that they can cut off this many customers,” Haddle said. The closest Saab dealer to this area will be in Bethlehem once the agreement of sale is finalized. If the deal to sell Saab falls through, GM would close Saab and all the rights to all 218 dealerships would be terminated, GM officials have said. The automaker is eliminating four of its eight brands, by selling Saab and Hummer, and winding down Pontiac and Saturn.
To read the complete story, see Tuesday's edition of The Times Leader or www.timesleader.com
13 Reader Comments
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Sarah P. said...
...and so the fallout of Cash for Clunkers begins. Soon Aetna will be pulling out of Health Care Coverage..How is that Hope and Change working for ya..
November 16, 2009 at 2:06 PM
Bob E. said...
I have been a longtime customer of Kunkle Motors. Without them, I have no interest in buying another Saab. Quality, courteous, service is irreplaceable.
November 16, 2009 at 2:38 PM
Bonnie said...
One thing the administration has is a final result...this is it..have government run car company, government run healthcare, etc. Hope and Change and MORE people out of work.
November 16, 2009 at 2:44 PM
Marge said...
I went to school with Tim, and although I didn't know him well I could hear the pride in his voice when he talked about owning the company one day. It's sad to see what this area is coming too, talk about unfairness. Tim's family has run the business with courtesy, pride in their work and utmost quality through the years, and this is how they are paid? I'm so sorry for you and your family Tim, I hope each of you pull through this stronger and thumbing your nose at the system.
November 16, 2009 at 3:10 PM
leadervoice@gmail.com said...
Does anyone realize that Obama is more and more like Vladamir Putin every day! Read up on Putin and you will see the comparisons for yourself.
November 16, 2009 at 3:11 PM
Connie Keeton said...
Sad - allot of local people will lose their jobs because instead of moving GM ahead back then, they bought a foreign car that although a good vehicle, has never reached overwhelming popularity. I feel for the Kunkle family and their employees.
November 16, 2009 at 3:28 PM
adam said...
Kunkle is the oldest Saab dealer in the US. This is heartbreaking. But, Bonnie, Saab is owned now by a Swedish car company and a Norwegian investment firm; this has nothing to do with the US government - and yes, GM sold Saab on their own decision.
November 16, 2009 at 4:14 PM
Chris Mahalick said...
So maybe all of you folks bashing the current cleanup which needs to be done as a result of the failed Bush policies have some ideas on how to fix things? Because it is clear that Health Care and the Car companies are just really serving us well in their current conditions. And as much as I used to enjoy visiting Kunkle motors back in the seventies, the sad fact is that they would have lost SAAB as soon as GM went bankrupt anyhow.
November 16, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Joe said...
When Obama mentions Change, he means that you will only have change left after he's through.
November 16, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Will said...
No, Chris Mahalak, those members of the Hitler Youth who are disciples of Rust Limpbad and Glenn Beck never have alternatives or recommendations, only hate and venom, the life blood of today's conservatism!
November 17, 2009 at 4:29 AM
Jerry said...
Saab's suck anyway.
November 17, 2009 at 10:13 AM
S.S. said...
That is probably because you cannot afford them. I have had 11 Saab's since 1981 and they have been the best cars i have ever driven. Best Saab service around....Thanks Tim and Kunkle Motors
November 17, 2009 at 8:51 PM
Joe Valley said...
Selling them foreign cars in the US of A is wrong. Maybe they should be called SCCAB's!
November 19, 2009 at 1:28 PM
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