November 3
...serving up your daily dish.
OK, let's see a show of hands. How many of you drive an Explorer? An Expedition? A Taurus?
Well, maybe that's why Montclair Bloomfield Ford, the dealership on Bloomfield Ave. near the Montclair/Glen Ridge border, is going out of business.
The 50-year-old dealership closes its doors on November 15, amid rumors that developers are eyeing the property, which is across the street from Bubble Bath car wash.
Sales by Detroit automakers have plummeted lately as the price of gas has surged. In October, sales of Ford's Explorer dropped 59 percent, and Expedition sales fell 51 percent.
Customers of Montclair Bloomfield Ford will soon receive a letter telling them of the dealership's impending demise. An employee told us there are eight Ford dealerships within five miles, however, for service customers to choose from.
I actually wish gas prices had stayed high, or gone even higher, to get those obnoxious 4-wheel drives off the road! Sure, let the market adjust itself, so that Americans can 'get real' about oil and gas consumption.
Posted by: Black Irish | Nov 3, 2005 9:09:59 AM
It's a shame. I just had a very good experience dealing with Jim Galione. I wish him the best in the future.
Posted by: Johnny | Nov 3, 2005 9:32:23 AM
i agree! i have driven a ford taurus for years, it is my favorite car. handles beautifully and extremely reliable. i also love the service department at montclair ford. whenever i brought the car by for routine servicing or to replace a broken mirror or something, i was impressed by their efficiency and graciousness.
Posted by: fran | Nov 3, 2005 9:38:50 AM
I used to hang out at this dealership when i was a kid... assuming that this is true, then it will be missed. The owners and management are all very nice folks.
as for the closest ford dealerships... as follows:
elite ford in belleville
fette ford in clifton
verner cadby ford in west caldwell
wyman ford in maplewood
are the facing dealerships... not all within 5 miles.
btw, the taurus is being replaced by the fusion and the 500. the fusion is getting rave reviews.
the excursion is being discontinued (i think)
mr. black irish is an idiot.
Posted by: Dan Murphy | Nov 3, 2005 10:24:40 AM
Not too surprising to me. The last time we bought a Ford, the other Ford dealerships in the area were much more willing to bargain then they were. The too bad part is now the property will probably be used for yet more housing.
Posted by: grcanary | Nov 3, 2005 10:30:25 AM
Although not wanting to contribute to unemployment, it is high time the SUV status symbol be left in the dust for more energy responsible autos. Now for the Armada, Navigator, Escalade groupies....
Posted by: Maureen | Nov 3, 2005 10:41:50 AM
Interesting that a Ford dealership would go out of business. The new F-series trucks are coming out in 2007 with aftermarket packages that include touch screen computers, wi-fi, GPS, and even laser printers so owners can bring their offices with them.
With all the contractors in the area, I am sure this would be a huge benefit to them.
I wrote a little something about it on my site yesterday, check it out.
Posted by: TechGary | Nov 3, 2005 10:52:22 AM
I have a two-month old Ford Escape. It's actually my 3rd Ford, and I've loved all of them. I leased Explorer Sports back-to-back, and then I thought I'd change and I leased a Nissan Altima. While it drove really well, I hated it and couldn't wait for my lease to be up. I wanted a Mini Cooper, but it was way out of my price range, so I "settled" for a Ford Escape. It's been such a pleasant surprise because I absolutely love it! I think the reason that lot went out of business has more to do with awkward location and business reasons, not because it's a Ford dealership. Anyway, I go to Verner Cadby in West Caldwell, and they are very nice and reliable.
Posted by: Dana | Nov 3, 2005 10:57:15 AM
Drive a large American SUV and you are directly contributing to dead American soldiers protecting the oil lines needed to feed the guzzlers. Good riddance.
Now, if Detroit would actually put out a car that is reliable and that is not a big nasty SUV, maybe good local neighbors like the Galione's could stay in business. Instead, we get more Hummers and Expeditions. It is a shame.
Posted by: Ug | Nov 3, 2005 11:14:31 AM
UG,
"Drive a large American SUV and you are directly contributing to dead American soldiers protecting the oil lines needed to feed the guzzlers."
You are a moran and do not know what you are talking about.
Posted by: girl | Nov 3, 2005 11:33:50 AM
I've been meaning to take my car in for some needed repairs. So here's a practical question: Should I hurry up and take it in to MB Ford before they close, or would any work they do at this point be half-assed?
Posted by: htb | Nov 3, 2005 11:57:20 AM
Wow, some real hostility today toward those of us who want to conserve!
Don't you just love the American ideal of freedom to drive whatever you want?!
And .. Maybe 'Mr. Black Irish' (me) is not a Mister!!!
Girl, Ug is no 'moran' -- Ug makes sense!!!
Peace.
Posted by: Black Irish | Nov 3, 2005 12:17:18 PM
Ug is an ignorant idiot too. Do your research dope before you make stupid comments like:
"Now, if Detroit would actually put out a car that is reliable and that is not a big nasty SUV"
Posted by: Dan Murphy | Nov 3, 2005 12:18:42 PM
Like it or not SUVs are here to stay. To most, they are a much needed vehicle for work, pleasure, or hobbies--hauling, loading, carrying all types of cargo including children. And for others, it is their choice to drive whatever damn vehicle they want!
Posted by: grme | Nov 3, 2005 12:22:54 PM
Me thinks that they might not so much be going out of business as they're taking advantage of a great time to get rid of some of their real estate. Won't be a bad nest egg to retire on.
Posted by: Sabotage | Nov 3, 2005 12:23:43 PM
Enough with the name-calling. Hold yourself to a higher standard!
Posted by: Black Irish | Nov 3, 2005 12:40:32 PM
Wow - and I thought we would only hear negative things about Fords from Chevvy or Chrysler guys.
It also appears to me that 12-ton SUVs are probably not the most cost-effective vehicles in the world, popularity not withstanding, and that the American consumer will once again embrance smaller, more fuel- and traffic-efficient automobiles; probably when the cost of gasoling is back to $1.25 a gallon. P.S. Anybody wanna buy a very used Corvair?
Posted by: Conan the Grammarian | Nov 3, 2005 1:32:49 PM
I've had nothing but bad experiences with this dealership and it's salespeople. I'm not saddened by this news in the least.
Posted by: Delicious Dish | Nov 3, 2005 1:53:02 PM
This is sad. We've had GOOD experiences from this car dealer!
We tried going to Fette Ford last year when we were looking for a car. We didnt know if we wanted a new inexpensive car (like a Focus) or a used mid-line (like a Taurus, etc). The sales people there were VERY high pressure, woudlnt give us our driver's license back and practically forced us to buy a new Focus. Luckily we put the brakes on at the last minute...
Then we went to Bloomfield Ford - super low key, no pressure at all. The price was already on the window, so we didnt have to worry about that hassle.They had no problems writing the VIN numbers down, so we could go back home and look up the car fax reports. And, they had no problem letting us think for a day before purchasing. We ended up buying the used Taurus and really like it and liked our sales person as well.
Posted by: butchcjg | Nov 3, 2005 9:59:05 PM
""Drive a large American SUV and you are directly contributing to dead American soldiers protecting the oil lines needed to feed the guzzlers."
That's a pretty nasty statement. It's actually George Bush who is DIRECTLY responsible for putting American soldier's in harms way. Beyond that, EVERY American contributes to our dependence on oil (by buying plastics, gas, etc) - and every politician who refuses to focus on conservation and alternative energy sources.
Posted by: butchcjg | Nov 3, 2005 10:03:39 PM
Ah....will Siena East be coming to the Ford dealership site?
Posted by: Franklin | Nov 4, 2005 5:49:07 AM
Two things: Just in case you think a Ford Explorer is necessary because of it's size, my Taurus wagon is rated to carry a larger payload than the Explorer and can hold more passengers...and gets pretty good darned gas mileage as well.
And second, I thought those businesses there by the bridge were going to get closed down for the rebuilding of the bridge and road. What happened to that? I remember all the hooha when folks thought the car wash was going to be put out of business.
Posted by: KatieG | Nov 4, 2005 7:58:36 AM
