Is Guyler Buick a GM Target to Close?

Personaly I hope not, but I would say from the decline in their inventory that they probably are.

At least Obama Administration is learning, they seem to be closing Government Motors dealerships based on volume, not the political affiliation of the owners like they did with Chrysler 

They had to spend a fortune on all those remodels they did a few years back. I wish them luck.

Middletown auto dealers sued by General Motors
Business Courier of Cincinnati - by Jon Newberry Staff Reporter

A two-year-old dispute between General Motors Corp. and two Middletown car dealerships is headed for federal court.

GM contends that Chevrolet dealer Jim Pierson, operator of Pierson Automotive has taken control of Guyler Buick-Pontiac-GMC, contrary to GM dealership agreements and a 2005 settlement. This, according to a lawsuit filed by GM in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

GM wants the court to order Pierson to relinquish control of Guyler and recognize GM's right to buy all of the GM assets of the dealership.

In a May 29 complaint, GM alleged that Pierson and Mike Guyler, owner of the Guyler dealership, have violated provisions in their dealership agreements governing changes in ownership and management. They also breached a 2005 settlement under which Pierson bought a 33 percent interest in Guyler's dealership, it said.

The settlement was entered into after GM rejected a proposed purchase by Pierson of a majority interest in Guyler in 2004. The deal required Guyler to meet certain sales goals - goals it failed to achieve - before Pierson could buy additional stock.

GM claims that as soon as the ink was dry, "the defendants have tried to end-run the settlement agreement by allowing one of the defendants to do exactly what the settlement agreement prevented."

Pierson has effectively purchased all of Guyler's stock by loaning the dealership $2 million, interest free, while shares of stock are escrowed in his name, GM contends. Also, Pierson has purchased Guyler's real estate, and Pierson's wife Brenda Pierson is acting general manager of the Guyler dealership, GM said. Pierson also took over financing obligations for Guyler's inventory, it said.

Pierson, who hadn't yet seen the lawsuit, said GM's action appears to be in retaliation for a related lawsuit he filed against the automaker in county court for which a hearing is set June 23. GM wants to install a new dealer at the Guyler location, he said.

"They'd like to put a different dealer in there, but they'd have to pay me rent. They don't like that," Pierson said.

Mike Guyler said he's still running the dealership and has "lived up to the letter of the law."

Dealer Duel

Defendants: Pierson Automotive/Guyler Buick-Pontiac
Plaintiff: General Motors Corp.
Case No: 08-367.

jnewberry@bizjournals.com | (513) 337-9433


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I'm surprised, but with a GM bankruptcy, GM can do anything,  why sue? Just revoke the dealership, problem solved.

My guess is that the lawsuit with GM is still pending, and that Pierson cannot make a comment.  Sevearl articles that have been in the Journal stated that he has not been available for comment. 

The lack of any info coming out of Guyler can not be good news. If Guiler indeed had been renewed, we would know something by now.

Maybe this has something to do with it: