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American Chevrolet upgrades dealership
Modesto dealer offers free shuttle service to Manteca
pic amer-chevy-1
Jim Halvorson, vice president and general manager of American Chevrolet in Modesto, stands in front of the new signage from the recent renovations on the nine-acre lot. - photo by VINCE REMBULAT

MODESTO – Remodeling was recently completed at American Chevrolet.

According to Jim Halvorson, vice president and general manager of the Modesto dealership at 4742 McHenry Avenue, renovations started in early February as part of the General Motors program that called for a company-wide uniformed look.

The fresh and appealing look includes silver metal siding and a large Chevrolet signage and logo against a vibrant blue façade. Interior work consisted of new furnishings along with some high-tech upgrades.

“The work was more cosmetic to update the look of the dealership,” Halvorson said on Wednesday. “The whole outside was painted and the lot was resurfaced.”

American Chevrolet has been around for 22 years including the last 18 at McHenry Avenue location near Kiernan Avenue. That makes it nearly a straight shot for those traveling from Highway 99 in Salida.

 “We’re trying to service customers from Manteca,” said Halvorson, adding that the area has been without a GM dealership since Sexton Chevrolet closed a few years ago. “It’s a short drive (from Kiernan) to get here.”

American Chevrolet, in fact, offers shuttle services to Manteca.

Halvorson hopes his newly spruced up dealership can translate into sales after withstanding some tough economic times.

“We’ve got the past bottom,” he said. “Sales this year are better than the previous year. But we’re still down by at least 50 percent.”

Halvorson is proud of the product.

Take the Chevy Cruze, which, he says, is a sedan that’s comparable to the Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic in terms of quality, performance, fuel economy, and safety.

The Sonic is an American-built subcompact that gets good gas mileage – try 40 miles per gallon, highway – at the best value.

The 2013 Malibu Eco is the first of a new generation of Malibus.

Sales in crossovers such as the Equinox and Traverse remain strong.

“Even our SUVs continue to do well in sales,” Halvorson said. “While more like a truck, the Suburban is still today’s family station wagon.”

But it’s the Silverado and Colorado that bring out the Chevy pride. “There’s still plenty of brand loyalty with our trucks,” said Halvorson.

His American Chevrolet dealership currently boasts about 215 vehicles on the nine-acre lot.

Halvorson said the key to business has and will always be repeat customers.

“It’s why we are here,” he added. “We take care of our customers, who we consider to be members of our family.”

For more information, call 209-575-1606 or click on to www.americanchevrolet.com.