Ed Schmidt must not lose Chevy brand, Maumee says

11/24/2009

The city of Maumee is urging General Motors Co. to reconsider its decision to pull its Chevrolet line from the Ed Schmidt Automotive Group at 1425 Reynolds Rd.

During a special meeting yesterday, Maumee City Council passed a resolution to oppose GM's decision to end its contract with the dealership. Ed Schmidt was among more than 2,300 of the bankrupt automaker's 6,000 dealerships eliminated nationwide. The dealership told The Blade last week it no longer would sell new Chevrolet vehicles as of Nov. 30.

The resolution noted the dealership's proximity to I-475 and the Ohio Turnpike, the area's high volume of traffic with about 44,000 vehicles passing through the intersection of Dussel Drive and Reynolds daily, and a sales record with more than 700 cars sold annually and a revenue of at least $48 million over the last four years.

All voted in favor of the resolution except Council President Richard Carr, who said he remained out of council chambers and chose to abstain from the vote because his law practice represents the dealership.