BAKER MOTOR COMPANY COMPLETES PURCHASE OF SENTRY BUICK GMC

Baker will break ground on their all-new Baker Buick GMC Cadillac facility this spring.

Tommy Baker, owner and president of Baker Motor Company in Charleston and Mt. Pleasant, SC and Baker Cadillac in Mt. Pleasant, SC announced today that his company has completed the purchase of Sentry Buick GMC located at 1621 Savannah Highway in Charleston, SC, ¼ mile west of Baker Motor Company’s luxury import dealership in West Ashley.  The Buick and GMC franchises join the Baker world-class line up of Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Infiniti, Range Rover, Land Rover, Cadillac, Jaguar, Maserati, Maybach, Sprinter and smart.  Harold Arnold II, president and dealer operator of Sentry Buick GMC finalized the sale to Mr. Baker on Tuesday, January 31, 2012.  Baker will relocate Baker Cadillac (acquired November 14, 2011) from Johnnie Dodds Blvd. in Mt. Pleasant to the Buick GMC dealership on Savannah Highway January 31 as well.  Baker Buick GMC Cadillac officially opens its doors Wednesday, February 1, 2012.

“Combining the Buick GMC and Cadillac franchises together make a powerful combination,” said Baker.  “Having three out of the four GM franchises under one roof is a great opportunity for Baker Motor Company. GM is now the number one automotive selling brand in the world and their future product is phenomenal. They’ve prepared themselves to succeed in the long run.”

Tommy Baker began his automotive career in 1970 as a salesman at James Oldsmobile in Charleston. “Oldsmobile was on fire back then, just as GM is today,” commented Baker.

Baker’s Buick GMC purchase includes the six acres of real estate and the current 63,000 square foot facility on Savannah Highway.  Baker plans to immediately add an automatic car wash, Saturday service department hours and drop off/ pick up and delivery services for all Buick, GMC and Cadillac customers.  Baker’s architects have completed the initial renderings of a new building to be constructed in the front of the original building that will feature two new state of the art showrooms, one for Buick/GMC and one for Cadillac, adding 10,000 square feet to the dealership.

“We plan to break ground on our new showrooms within a couple of months,” commented Baker.  “Our goal is to have the most impressive GM facility in this marketplace.”   According to Baker, the estimated completion date is December 2012.

“Our goal is to spoil our Cadillac, Buick and GMC customers and to give them unparalleled customer service in every department,” added Baker.

Bill Gironda, vice president of Baker Motor Company, will oversee short and long term planning as well as daily operations for the new dealership.  Eric Gustafson, Baker Cadillac’s general manager, has been named general manager of Baker Buick GMC Cadillac. 

For over twenty-five years, Harold Arnold’s Sentry has been an automotive staple in Charleston. “It was a pleasure to deal with Harold,” Baker said.  “He was very much a gentleman.  It was honorably done and a seamless transaction.”

As for future plans for expansion, Baker simply said, “We are in an acquisition mode, always looking for an opportunity to grow here in Charleston.”

Baker Motor Company was founded by owner and president Tommy Baker in 1988.  The award winning automotive group is comprised of three locations including Baker Motor Company of Charleston, SC a factory authorized Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Infiniti, Range Rover, Land Rover, Jaguar, Maserati, Maybach, Sprinter and smart sales and service provider; Baker Motor Company of Mt. Pleasant. SC offering the finest in pre-owned vehicles; and Baker Buick GMC Cadillac in Charleston, SC.  For more information on Tommy Baker, Baker Motor Company, or Baker Buick GMC Cadillac, visit www.bakermotorcompany.com or call (843) 852-4000.