Decades of Dodge under the Withnell name end, Roberson acquires franchise

The whole lot is bare – not a diesel pickup truck in sight.

The demonstrate space is empty – not a offer in the building wherever.

Salem’s vehicle business has seen the closure of an era with the shuttering of the Withnell Dodge dealership, a mainstay on Southeast Business Street.

Now, Dodges and Rams will be parked at Roberson Motors, which documented on its website that it experienced acquired the franchise effective March 1. That dealership is on Southeast Ryan Travel at Mission Street.

“It’s just the proper time” in accordance to a Fb post from David Withnell, who succeeded his father Dick as owner of the franchise in 2002.

The relatives business will go on to run Withnell Hyundai at 1996 Mission St. S.E.

The acquisition provides jointly two long-time Salem families from the automobile entire world.

Earl Roberson established Roberson Motors in 1961, working for yrs on a site amongst the Marion and Center Street bridges in downtown Salem. His son Mike, succeeded him and now a 3rd technology, Brett Roberson, is an proprietor of the organization.

Roberson claimed he’s very long had a “friendly, competitive” connection with Dave Withnell and they talked for many years about merging or a person obtaining out the other.

Roberson mentioned the “dual facilities” to market and provider motor vehicles that the two dealerships had to keep. He explained adjustments in the automobile business in modern several years manufactured a blend a excellent go.

“Franchises have kind of transformed. There are less competing vehicles,” Roberson mentioned. “We employed to compete together certain design lines” but this sort of facet-by-side designs beneath distinct models have been disappearing.

“It’s definitely challenging to endure without all the brands,” Roberson mentioned. “The dream was for a single of us to put all the brands jointly.”

He stated the deal to get the Withnell franchise was set in motion a couple of months ago with a connect with from Dave Withnell. Roberson was receptive.

“It’s been a desire of our relatives to have Dodge and Ram,” Roberson stated.

Dick Withnell, who bought the Dodge dealership in 1980, explained the deal “just manufactured sense. Roberson has a terrific popularity.”

He claimed that “business sensible, I have no next feelings. I was just a straight up business transaction that was a get-get.”

To reflect the alter, Roberson has modified its identify to Roberson Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.

He explained the Mission Street internet site can deal with the improve in inventory, but some developing growth is very likely in the coming months.

On going day, motorists shuttled about 80 automobiles from the Withnell dealership to the Mission Avenue place.

“It was a entertaining working day,” he said.

Withnell, a Salem philanthropist and volunteer, bought the dealership in 1980 from Emerson Teague.

Withnell recounted his evolution into the car or truck business in an oral background recorded very last 12 months at his alma mater, Linfield University.

Movie: Dick Withnell oral historical past

He described time in the banking organization, which include dealing with repossessed autos, in advance of heading into the motor vehicle company in Salem in 1972. He has often cited Lee Iaccoca, who led Chrysler from 1978 till 1992, as a mentor

He has continued serving a assortment of nonprofit boards and contributing to nonprofits.

Roberson claimed his father and Withnell frequently collaborated on charitable initiatives, these types of as aiding fund the new Union Gospel Mission in Salem.

Withnell continue to maintains his memento-loaded office at the dealership constructing on Industrial. He explained he’ll be thinking of what to do with the 4.5-acre web-site that he and his wife, Gayle, have.

“Maybe when they get entire at the conference center, we can supply parking,” Withnell joked.

The ton of what was Withnell Dodge on Southeast Industrial Avenue is empty on Thursday, March 2. The dealership shut on Tuesday, Feb. 28, as the franchise was obtained by the Roberson relatives. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter)
The showroom of what was Withnell Dodge on Southeast Professional Avenue is vacant on Thursday, March 2. The dealership closed on Tuesday, Feb. 28, as the franchise was acquired by the Roberson family members, incorporating to the vehicle line on Southeast Ryan Generate. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter)
The great deal of what was Withnell Dodge on Southeast Industrial Street is empty on Thursday, March 2. The dealership closed on Tuesday, Feb. 28, as the franchise was acquired by the Roberson relatives, including to the motor vehicle line on Southeast Ryan Drive. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter)
The good deal of what was Withnell Dodge on Southeast Professional Road is empty on Thursday, March 2. The dealership shut on Tuesday, Feb. 28, as the franchise was obtained by the Roberson loved ones, including to the auto line on Southeast Ryan Generate. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter)
A sign at what was Withnell Dodge on Southeast Commercial Street advises shoppers of a large transform. The dealership shut on Tuesday, Feb. 28, as the franchise was acquired by the Roberson relatives, incorporating to the automobile line on Southeast Ryan Travel. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter)

Make contact with Editor Les Zaitz by e-mail: [email protected]

Tale Suggestion OR Concept? Send an electronic mail to Salem Reporter’s information crew: [email protected].

SUBSCRIBE TO GET SALEM Information We report on your local community with treatment and depth, fairness and precision. Get community news that issues to you. Subscribe nowadays to get our each day newsletters and extra. Simply click I want to subscribe!