Van Buren Auto Tunes Up Facilities

The dealership on Jericho Turnpike in Garden City Park is getting an upgrade.

According to Michael Watson, managing partner for the site, the construction is a part of General Motors’ plan to uniform its franchises.

“They want to create uniformity so customers can recognize the brand,” he said. “The reception desks will all be in the same place at any location, and everyone will be able to identify the shiny black and silver colors.”

Essentially, anything that is part of the customer service experience is changing – such as the waiting rooms and sales desks – as the auto manufacturer tries to brighten the environment of its franchisees by repainting and relighting the service area in the shop.

Van Buren would be the first dealership in western Nassau County and Suffolk County to start the changes mandated by the automaker.

The reconstruction, which began on July 1, is expected to be completed in January 2013 and cost nearly $2 million at Van Buren alone.

That long run time could take its toll on the long-standing franchise.

“It’s going to be a rough few months,” Watson said. “We’ve been severely compromised and challenged but are remaining open throughout construction.”

Not that they haven’t been close to the brink before, as when General Motors declared bankruptcy in 2009, Van Buren was close to being one of the franchises that also closed its doors.

“As a dealer facing the brink of extinction two years ago, being able to take on something like this is shocking,” said Watson. “We would just like to thank the public for their continued support.” 

Continuing to operate while crews are making the renovations will, according to Watson, probably force the store to stagger hours and have less people working at once, and maybe even stay open until 11 p.m.

In the end, though, Watson believes it will all be worth the inconveniences.

“At least we’ll be the premiere Buick-GMC,” he said of the dealership.