J.P. (Pete) Tragesser first opened in Ross Twp. in 1912 and become an associate Ford dealer in 1915. Vernon Tragesser took over from his father in 1956 and is now dealer principal, working side-by-side with his sons Mike and David.
“It’s disappointing that after 97 years, we didn’t receive more consideration,” Vernon said. David added, “It’s something they feel as a corporation they have to do.”
The last three years Ford Motor Co. has worked with dealers to consolidate the market and “right size” its dealer count, according to Ford. Five dealerships in Southwest Ohio have been closed the past three years, Ford said.
“The consolidation provides greater through-put to the remaining Ford dealers, which strengthens their business and allows them to reinvest in their facilities and enhance the consumer’s sales and service experience,” read a statement from Ford on Thursday.
Tragesser marks 99 years in May and has been in its current location, 4055 Hamilton Cleves Road, since 1964. It has 22 employees.
J.C. Burton‘s 2010 F150 truck was being serviced Thursday. He’s been a customer since 1956, buying 20 to 30 cars between all the members of his family. He said people in Hamilton and Oxford would come to Ross Twp. rather than the Cincinnati area for new Fords.
“This is going to hurt the community, too, business-wise and customers,” Burton said.
David Tragesser said they were first approached in April 2010 by Ford to stop dealing and were approached Dec. 10 with the alternative to make renovations at a minimum cost of $750,000. The Tragessers determined that to do the renovation would require a new location that would cost upwards of $1 million. Faced with those choices, the dealership decided to end its Ford relationship.
As a used-car dealer, David said he believes the dealership can return to profitability after a few years of losses. Used cars are already two-thirds of sales. He also said they can compete with other used-car dealers based on Tragesser’s long-standing reputation and quality.
It will officially stop being a Ford franchise when Ford gives the word after the last of the inventory leaves the lot, vehicle parts are returned and all other ties are cut, David said.
“I’m going to continue selling used cars, and we will be profitable,” he said.
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2551 or clevingston@coxohio.com.
About the Author