Golling Breaks Ground on 80,000 Square Foot Leading-Edge, World-Class Chrysler Jeep Dodge Store

Bloomfield Township Site Is Metro Detroit's First Chrysler Group 'Project Alpha' Store Combining All Three Brands Under One Roof

Expansion Is Latest In Golling Dealership Continuous 37 Year Growth

BLOOMFIELD TWP, Mich., Sept. 30 -- Ground breaking ceremonies in Bloomfield Township tomorrow (Friday) mark the beginning of what may be the largest -- and certainly the most heavily landscaped -- Chrysler Jeep Dodge store in the nation.

Golling Chrysler Jeep Dodge will break ground for a totally new 80,000 square foot store featuring all three auto brand names, lush landscaping with more than 2,500 trees, bushes and flowers; an all-brick and masonry exterior, and the most cutting-edge customer service facilities in the nation. The new store on Telegraph Road, just north of Square Lake Road, is slated to open in May 2005.

It is the first Chrysler Group "Project Alpha" store in the metro area, and one of the first in the nation. Project Alpha is DaimlerChrysler's recent retail strategy to combine Chrysler and Jeep stores with Dodge stores to give customers a true one-stop, full range of Chrysler Group products in one store.

"We will provide our customers with the complete line of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge products and services in a 'wow' environment with a volume that allows us to offer extremely competitive prices," Bill Golling said. "This new building consolidates five existing buildings into one very customer- friendly and very efficient operation with 150 employees."

Golling will be joined in the 9:45 a.m. ceremonies by Chrysler Group CEO and president Dr. Dieter Zetsche; Klaus Entenmann, vice president, Chrysler Financial for DaimlerChrysler Services, North America; Bloomfield Township supervisor David Payne and other distinguished business and community leaders.

The new store features the most cutting-edge customer service facilities of their kind in the nation. Included are a customer service lounge with Web access, carpeted and glass-enclosed children's play area, coffee bar and cafe, separate display areas for Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge car and Dodge truck brands; two "quick oil change" bays, 24 service bays, 16 body shop bays, a high-tech, high-performance Mopar Parts "Speed Shop," complete one-stop financing and insurance; and a free car wash for every service customer.

Golling Chrysler Jeep acquired the former Anderson Dodge of Bloomfield Hills in October 2003 and sells the three brands from two nearby, existing stores (Chrysler Jeep, and Dodge) on Telegraph Road, north of Square Lake Road. This new building on 15 acres combines those existing stores.

The new Golling store will incorporate the products in brand-specific retail areas designed to give the feel of each brand through aesthetics as well as the actual products on the floor. For example, the Jeep area will have a rugged outdoor look consistent with the Jeep brand.

In a sign of the times, the new Golling store will have separate locker and rest room facilities for its women technicians and service employees in a field traditionally male dominated. An extensive technical library as well as specialized technician Web access will support the most advanced service needs, as well as future electronic and mechanical innovations.

This latest achievement is just one of many for Bill Golling, who started in the auto retail business at age 15 washing cars and scrubbing floors for his father in one of the family's first dealerships. Golling, and his business partner, Ed Levy, own and operate three dealerships, in Michigan and Ohio.

Golling has pioneered auto retail innovations like his seven day, money back guarantee on new and pre-owned cars and trucks, and a three month, 3,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty on pre-owned vehicles.

"We've grown by getting close to our customers, taking excellent care of them," Golling said. "We make sure they want to come back to us for their service and next purchase needs."

Golling has been recognized by his peers for his business leadership. He has been elected numerous times as president of the Chrysler Jeep Superstores Advertising and General Associations, the marketing group for the 41 individually owned Chrysler Jeep Superstores in Southeastern Michigan. He was elected chairperson of the National Chrysler Jeep Dealer Council of DaimlerChrysler in 1997.

Golling is active in community affairs, especially in youth hockey. He is currently General Trustee of the USA Hockey Club of Michigan, and coaches the Lake Orion High School Prep hockey team.

The current Golling Chrysler Jeep Dodge stores are located at 1951 South Telegraph Road and at 2125 South Telegraph Road. The address of the new store will be 2405 South Telegraph Road. All are in Bloomfield Township.

Golling also operates a second customer service center and body shop in Waterford on Telegraph Road, just south of West Huron Road, and a complete certified used car center on West Huron Road (M-59), about two miles west of Telegraph.