A POPULAR dealership has abruptly shut its doors for good – leaving many locals in the lurch.
Customers are reportedly frustrated by the lack of prior notice about the closure and are now concerned about the security of their vehicle warranties.
Customers of a popular car dealerhip have been left frustrated after the store abruptly shut its doors for good last week[/caption]
Patriot Lincoln car dealership, located on Kimberly Road in Davenport, Iowa, has left many drivers in the lurch[/caption]
But strangely, their body shop has remained open[/caption]
According to WQAD News 8, the Patriot Lincoln car dealership, located on Kimberly Road in Davenport, Iowa, abruptly closed last week.
And the sudden shut down has left customers in uncertainty about their vehicle warranties – with no forewarning or message from the owners.
Indeed, the only indication is a small sign on the site’s front entrance that reads ‘store is permanently closed’.
Curiously, the site’s body shop remains in operation.
Efforts made by local media to contact the last known owners of the dealership have been unsuccessful, with outlets monitoring the situation.
Furthermore, an attempt to find out more information via their website took Sun Motors US to a blank web page.
We have attempted to contact Patriot Lincoln of Davenport.
This comes as, earlier this year, Iowa’s Sioux City brought in a one-year ban on new car lots and expansions of existing dealerships.
It comes as stats revealed Sioux City had nearly double the number of car lots compared to similar cities.
So, now no new car dealerships will open for an entire year after a 3-2 vote was cast in favor of the temporary ban back in January.
Dealerships will now be split into different categories by the city’s planning and zoning department.
The moratorium on dealerships and expansions of existing locations is in effect until January 10, 2026.
This comes as Chevrolet and GMC drivers are being warned about a worrying trend of increased thefts targeting their vehicles.
A new study found that the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is the most frequently stolen car across the US, followed by other Chevrolet and GMC vehicles like the GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado trucks.
Data from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) claims these vehicles are being targeted due to vulnerabilities found in their keyless entry systems, as well their general desirability among thieves.
General Motors, which owns both brands, has since released software updates and security measures to address these issues, but drivers are being advised to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions.
The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, which comes in a top spot, has a recorded theft rate that is 39 times higher than average for 2022 to 2024 models.
It’s believed thieves are simply drawn to its high horsepower and performance, while its on-board data ports are said to make it easier to steal.
What to do if a dealership closes
If you recently bought a car or motorcycle from a dealership that suddently closed, you may feel anxious about how that affects you.
When you finance a new car or motorcycle or need warranty repairs done at an authorized dealership, a sudden closure can make some people think they’re out of options or worry their car will be repossessed.
If you’re in a situation that sounds like that, here are a few things you can do after receiving an official notice:
- Notify the bank hosting your loan of the closure to make them aware. If the financing is done through the dealership itself, it’s important to contact the dealership or your salesperson to ask how to keep up your payments. Many dealerships will send the lien (the title and registration that will only be released to the buyer after the debt is paid) to a financial institution to keep.
- If the dealership cannot be contacted through traditional means, most states allow drivers to apply for the title and registration through the DMV.
- If you leased a car from a dealership that went out of business, instructions should be sent as to which dealership to bring your vehicle to when the lease expires. If not, contact the dealership.
- A factory warranty through the manufacturer will be honored at any other authorized dealership. However, an extended warranty through the dealership may not be honored at other repair shops, so it’s important to seek that information from the dealership as soon as possible.
Source: Consumer Law Group
