General Motors (GM) is back in Bell County and those employed by Lee Motors are fired up! General Manager Steve Bailey and Service Manager Jason Brown, both employees of Lee Motors, posed for a quick picture on Monday afternoon in light of the recent announcement.
The Lee Motors Dealership, located on Log Mountain, attained a temporary agreement with Chrysler-Dodge in April, but officials maintain that GM is where they always wanted to be.
General Manager Steve Bailey said that Lee Motors representatives were in negotiations with GM for nearly a year before the agreement was validated last week.
He said the path has been a trying one for those employed at Lee Motors, but firmly believes that the future is favorable for all.
Officials at Lee Motors had to lay off several employees last year due to the declining auto industry. But now, representatives hope to rehire some of those employees and begin again.
Bailey alleged that the doors to the dealership are now open, and on-site service will begin immediately. However, the work has just begun, said Bailey.
He added that Lee Motors representatives, over the next month or so, will be scheduling customers in to get any warranty work done, and/or to simply get their automobiles serviced.
“We will go ahead and start scheduling those people right away, especially the warranty work and all the recalls that General Motors has... Any and all safety issues will be taken care of first,” said Bailey.
He explained that he will then be traveling around the country buying inventory from GM officials and placing orders for 2011 models — which will be hitting the ground in late August or early September.
“Basically, the next month and half is just going to be getting everything in order to help us sell vehicles and service our customers,” he explained.
Bailey said the next few months are sure to be hectic, but maintained he enjoys the long hours.
Lee Motors — owned by local entrepreneur Terry Lee — was one of very few dealerships, if not the only, in the country to gain their franchise back, Bailey added.
“That just speaks volumes of Mr. Lee,” said Bailey — adding that his hard work, along with the support of the community, made the existing contract possible.
“He’s been working behind the scenes to get this accomplished. When they look at him and his resume, along with the different businesses that he owns and what he has done for the communities, it doesn’t take very long to figure out he’s a well-rounded man,” said Bailey.
“This means the world to me... Because the people that are my customers are my friends, too,” Bailey expressed. “Just to be able to take care of them... thrills me. It puts a joy in me. We have customers that are so loyal, they’ve been praying for us.”
Bailey commended his employer, Terry Lee, for his persistence and dedication to those employed at Lee Motors.
“He has been so good to us through these hard times. It’s unbelievable,” concluded Bailey.
Adam Young is a Staff Writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. He can be contacted by e-mail at ayoung@heartlandpublications.com.
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