The city of Auburn lost a General Motors dealership this week, but it will soon pick up a Ford store.
Grass Valley Ford Lincoln Mercury will transfer operations from its facilities at 800 S. Auburn St. in Grass Valley to the larger, recently vacated Maita Ford Mercury site at 1650 Grass Valley Highway in Auburn. The Grass Valley store will have its last day of business Dec. 31; the Auburn site will open Jan. 2.
The Sacramento-based Maita Automotive Group closed Maita Ford Mercury on Sept. 22, citing the economic downturn that has prompted more than a dozen dealership closings in the Sacramento area this year.
On Monday, Auburn Buick Pontiac at 2725 Grass Valley Highway closed its doors, also citing economic hardship. It was the third dealership closing in Auburn this year. Auburn Nissan at 536 Grass Valley Highway shut down in April.
Don Neronde, co-owner of Grass Valley Ford Lincoln Mercury, said the move boils down to doubling work space and the ability to better serve consumers in the Sierra Nevada foothills east of Sacramento. Neronde said he will offer consumers shuttle service between Grass Valley and Auburn. Neronde and his son, Don Jr., also own Roseville Lincoln Mercury at 1710 Douglas Blvd., in Roseville.
Call The Bee's Mark Glover, (916) 321-1184.
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