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November 4, 2009

Bill McBride to split Subaru into separate business

By DAN HEATH

PLATTSBURGH — Bill McBride Chevrolet and Subaru has submitted plans for a separate Subaru dealership on its U.S. Avenue property.

Vice President Brian McBride said the 12,600-square-foot state-of-the-art showroom and repair shop would be on the northern side of the property.

It includes 3,500 square feet of showroom and office space, with the remainder for parts and service.

The new facility will include a drive-in service area, a four-car showroom, 10-bay repair shop and a more luxurious customer lounge.

McBride said that when General Motors was in bankruptcy, the company took the opportunity to demand that McBride’s split the Chevrolet and Subaru dealerships. McBride’s faces elimination of its Chevrolet franchise if it doesn’t comply, he said.

Chevrolet doesn’t like seeing its name recognition bring people through the door who are then sold a Subaru, McBride said.

The deadline is Dec. 31, but he hopes GM will allow some flexibility as long as substantial progress is taking place.

McBride said his Subaru representatives have told him that when a shared dealership is split, sales of Subarus at the dealership go up an average of 60 percent.

The local dealership contracted with Subaru of America to build a new showroom in July.

The architectural concept was developed by Nashville, Tenn.-based Feltus Hawkins Design, based on Subaru guidelines but with some flexibility for the local franchisee.

“We can give it the McBride personality,” McBride said.

The City of Plattsburgh Planning Board approved the State Environmental Quality Review and subdivision for the project.

A site plan prepared by Al Sweenor of North Country Engineering and Planning, with assistance from former Town of Plattsburgh Codes Enforcement Officer Don Lee, was also presented.

Because they are working on a tight time line, Sweenor sought approval to begin site-preparation work before a full set of plans was reviewed and approved by the Planning Board.

That led to some heated exchanges before the plan was tabled until the next meeting. The Planning Board wants more details on lighting, utilities, signage, stormwater, landscaping, delivery areas, emergency-equipment access and more.

The two sides have since met, and the applicant now better understands what the Planning Board will require for review and potential approval.

“We are trying to keep things on a fast track. The Planning Board was just doing their job,” McBride said. “We presented them with an incomplete application. The board insisted we dot our I’s and cross our T’s.”

He said they are working diligently to have a complete application ready for the next meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 23.

Lee said the McBride Chevrolet building will be remodeled once the Subaru franchise is relocated, to bring it more in line with other Chevrolet and GM dealerships.

McBride said he plans to use local contractors for the projects. Bill McBride Chevrolet started business in 1970, and Bill McBride Subaru opened in 1975.

Both are solid franchises, McBride said.



E-mail Dan Heath at:

dheath@pressrepublican.com

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