Sales are slow due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no doubt about it, but people have still buying cars and trucks in Estevan.
Brad Pierson, general manager at Murray GM, said, “We’ve seen a decrease, but we’re still active.”
The province has declared automotive dealers, auto repair and auto body shops to be an essential or allowed business. To that end, Pierson said, “Our service department isn’t doing what it normally would be, but we’re still busy.”
He pointed out that people still need their vehicles to be functional. “They need their vehicle, be it farm or oilfield or needing medical care. It’s important to them.”
He added some people take their servicing more seriously than others, and some are putting off service.
Rod Sands, dealer principal at Estevan Motors, said, “It’s very slow. There’s the odd car moving. I’m sure the numbers are down across town.”
As for being an essential service, Sands said, “There’s still people moving, and cars driving. They need repair. We’re here for them.
“We’re steady in the service department.”
Over at Power Dodge, dealer principal Trevor Knibbs said, “It’s definitely slowing down,” but added, “There’s still interest.
“Today we’ve done two,” he said on Friday.
Sunshine and warm weather have brought people out, he noted.
He added, “People are uncertain, if they’ll be laid off, and how long this will last.”
With regards to the service department, Knibbs said, “Service has been normal. No drop off in service.”
Randy Senchuk, dealer principal at Senchuk Ford, said, “It’s been quiet. We’ve had a decent month.”
More recently he noted, “We’ve had a couple leave the lot.”
As for being an essential service, Senchuk said, “It’s understandable. People need their vehicles. People need to be able to move around.
“I think as long as everybody practices precautions, we can get through this.”
When it comes to service, he said they’ve been wiping down touch points like door handles, steering wheels, shifters and the inside. “We’ve been told by Ford that’s the best practice,” he said.
The service department is down about 40 to 50 per cent, such that they used to have enough to fill out a full day, but now most of the work is getting done earlier in the day.
“We are picking up vehicles and dropping them off. That keeps us busy, too,” Senchuk said.
Late last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would be willing to subsidize up to 75 per cent of wages for people working for small businesses. Asked about that, Senchuk said, “That looks like it could be a godsend.”
