Haley Has It BY THOMAS CULLEN RICHMOND DRIVES WRITER M ore is more, and more is definitely better. That’s what the merger of Capital Automotive Group, Volvo of Richmond and Haley Auto Group illustrates. The groups have synthesized their commitment to customer service and offer the largest selection of vehicles in central Virginia. The result is a smattering of dealerships around the area that can meet the needs of any customer. The merger between Volvo of Richmond, Volvo of Midlothian and Haley was completed in June 2013 followed by another merger between Haley and Capital Auto Group, which was finalized on the first of this year, said Doug Pridgen, president of Haley Automotive Group. The deals came about as a result of past relationships that Pridgen formed with Ron Ferguson (president of Volvo of Richmond) and George Poulos (president of Capital Automotive Group) for more than 20 years. Discussions of the advantages of a merger snowballed when it became obvious that the move would improve business for each of the dealerships. “[The merger] gives us the advantage of having locations all around the Richmond area, which can be a great convenience for a customer,” Pridgen said in an email. Ferguson agreed and also noted there is a customer benefit in the pre-owned market. “With nine dealership locations in Richmond covering the entire Richmond metro area, our customers now have access to the largest and best selection of pre-owned vehicles,” he said in an email. “[The merger] spreads the Haley name from Broad Street to Hull Street to the airport into Farmville,” and as far as Roanoke, said George Poulos. Poulos also noted that the deal combines his strengths with those of Pridgen and Ferguson and puts them all on the same team. Yes, there is strength in numbers. Now, Haley Automotive Group has an enormous assortment of vehicles, and there are plenty of cars, trucks, vans and SUVs to invigorate customers these days. The Volvo V60 wagon came quickly to Ferguson’s mind. “This wagon has been very successful in Europe, and it is the first new wagon model in the U.S. market in nine years,” he said. “In addition, Volvo is introducing an entire new engine and transmission that will provide 37 mpg highway in many of its models.” Pridgen said all of the models offered at Haley have the potential to thrill drivers. “Every factory we represent has something new and exciting,” he said. Poulos mentioned the 2015 full-size SUVs (Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon) as vehicles that are generating interest. The main result of the merger is added convenience and increased selection for the customer, and Ron Ferguson knows it. “We are the only automotive group that has locations in every area of Richmond,” he said. “These nine locations offer more choices than any other group including the following brands: Buick, GMC, Toyota, Scion, Ford, Volvo, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram and Jeep. There is a Haley Automotive Group dealership within a five-minute drive of most everyone in Richmond.” Poulos noted that now a customer can shop 11 new car brands and can access 800 to 1,000 used cars all on one web site (haleyauto. com). That certainly is convenient. But what makes a Haley dealership stand out? “Our people of course,” Ferguson said. Are you looking for a huge selection, a great staff, maximum customer service and the convenience of a dealership close to your front door? Haley has it! Recent mergers have put Haley Automotive Group in a prime position to deliver more vehicles than ever before AT A GLANCE HALEY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP Haley Auto Mall - Farmville Haley Buick - GMC Airport Haley Buick - GMC Richmond Haley Certified Center Haley Chevrolet - Powhatan Haley Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram - Airport Haley Ford - Richmond Haley Toyota Scion of Richmond Haley Toyota Scion of Roanoke Volvo of Midlothian Volvo of Richmond www.HaleyAuto.com Ron Ferguson, president of Volvo of Richmond. PHOTO TAKEN BY DARL BICKEL, RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH PHOTO PROVIDED BY VOLVO OF RICHMOND At left is Doug Pridgen, president of Haley Automotive Group, and at right is George Poulos, president of Capital Automotive Group. LOOK INSIDE FOR GREAT DEALS ON NEW & USED VEHICLES 8 VOL.5 WEEK 13 | FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 | RICHMONDDRIVES.COM AUTOPILOT 2014 BMW 2 SERIES