There’s been a recent uptick in the number of Georgia car dealers, even luxury brands.
The Georgia Automotive Dealers Association (GADA), a trade association made up of franchised automobile dealers in Georgia and associate members, said its numbers were back up to 502 dealers, after dropping from 512 in 2007 to 487 in 2009.
GADA said its membership includes about 90 percent of all new car dealers in the state.
Not figured into those statistics are three Fiat dealerships that will open early next year, with the possibility of more on the horizon.
Chrysler-granted Fiat dealerships are Landmark Dodge Chrysler Jeep in Morrow and Don Jackson Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Union City.
In addition, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based AutoNation, the country’s largest dealer, will open a new Fiat dealership in Buford.
“Landmark and Don Jackson were among the first rounds of dealerships named,” said Ralph Kisiel, manager of sales and dealers network communications for the Auburn Hills, Mich.-based Chrysler.
“There very well could be more, including more in Georgia and the metro Atlanta market,” Kisiel said.
Last month, Chrysler Group LLC, which is being run by Italian-based Fiat, announced that 165 dealers in 119 markets would be authorized to sell the Fiat 500 subcompact car that is being built in Toluca, Mexico. The markets were selected based on the density of the population with registered small cars.
Jackson applied for more than one dealership location but hasn’t heard back from Chrysler. “I think Fiat is a great product with a lot of advanced technology that we need with Chrysler,” Jackson said. He expects to open his Fiat stand-alone dealership within 60 days.
“Auto dealerships have had a rough couple of years,” said Andrea Yegros, director of communications and education for GADA. “Some consolidated and some closed. Some became used-car dealers. Others closed and then reopened with a different brand. But the numbers are definitely up. There’s beginning to be a little light.”
