Haley Has It

BY thomas cullenrichmond drives writer

More is more, and more isdefinitely better. That’swhat the merger of Capital

Automotive Group, Volvo of Richmondand Haley Auto Group illustrates.The groups have synthesized theircommitment to customer serviceand offer the largest selection ofvehicles in central Virginia. Theresult is a smattering of dealershipsaround the area that can meetthe needs of any customer.

The merger between Volvo ofRichmond, Volvo of Midlothian andHaley was completed in June 2013followed by another merger betweenHaley and Capital Auto Group, whichwas finalized on the first of this

year, said Doug Pridgen, presidentof Haley Automotive Group. Thedeals came about as a result of pastrelationships that Pridgen formed withRon Ferguson (president of Volvoof Richmond) and George Poulos(president of Capital AutomotiveGroup) for more than 20 years.Discussions of the advantages of amerger snowballed when it becameobvious that the move would improvebusiness for each of the dealerships.

“[The merger] gives us theadvantage of having locations allaround the Richmond area, whichcan be a great convenience fora customer,” Pridgen said in anemail. Ferguson agreed and alsonoted there is a customer benefitin the pre-owned market.

“With ninedealershiplocations inRichmondcovering theentire Richmondmetro area, ourcustomers nowhave access tothe largest andbest selectionof pre-ownedvehicles,” hesaid in an email.

“[The merger]spreads theHaley namefrom BroadStreet to Hull

Street to the airport into Farmville,”and as far as Roanoke, said GeorgePoulos. Poulos also noted that thedeal combines his strengths withthose of Pridgen and Ferguson andputs them all on the same team.Yes, there is strength in numbers.

Now, Haley Automotive Grouphas an enormous assortment ofvehicles, and there are plenty ofcars, trucks, vans and SUVs toinvigorate customers these days.

The Volvo V60 wagon came quicklyto Ferguson’s mind. “This wagon hasbeen very successful in Europe, andit is the first new wagon model in theU.S. market in nine years,” he said.“In addition, Volvo is introducing anentire new engine and transmissionthat will provide 37 mpg highway inmany of its models.” Pridgen saidall of the models offered at Haleyhave the potential to thrill drivers.“Every factory we represent hassomething new and exciting,” he said.Poulos mentioned the 2015 full-sizeSUVs (Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon) asvehicles that are generating interest.

The main result of the merger isadded convenience and increasedselection for the customer, and RonFerguson knows it. “We are the onlyautomotive group that has locationsin every area of Richmond,” hesaid. “These nine locations offermore choices than any other groupincluding the following brands: Buick,GMC, Toyota, Scion, Ford, Volvo,Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram andJeep. There is a Haley AutomotiveGroup dealership within a five-minutedrive of most everyone in Richmond.”

Poulos noted that now a customercan shop 11 new car brands and

can access 800 to 1,000 usedcars all on one web site (haleyauto.com). That certainly is convenient.

But what makes a Haley dealershipstand out? “Our people of course,”Ferguson said. Are you lookingfor a huge selection, a great staff,maximum customer service and theconvenience of a dealership closeto your front door? Haley has it!

Recent mergers have put HaleyAutomotive Group in a prime positionto deliver more vehicles than ever before

AT A GLANCEhaley automotivegroup

Haley Auto Mall - Farmville

Haley Buick - GMC Airport

Haley Buick - GMC Richmond

Haley Certified Center

Haley Chevrolet - Powhatan

Haley Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram- Airport

Haley Ford - Richmond

Haley Toyota Scion of Richmond

Haley Toyota Scion of Roanoke

Volvo of Midlothian

Volvo of Richmond

www.HaleyAuto.com

RonFerguson,presidentof Volvo ofRichmond.

photo taken BY darl Bickel, richmond times-dispatch

photo provided BY volvo of richmond

At left is DougPridgen, presidentof Haley AutomotiveGroup, and at rightis George Poulos,president of CapitalAutomotive Group.

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