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paul_milander · Joined: 16 Mar 2008 Posts: 575 Location: Shippensburg, PA

Naugle Motors up for sale in Shippensburg

By Dale Heberlig, Sentinel Reporter, May 15, 2008

Last updated: Thursday, May 15, 2008 4:16 PM EDT
Naugle Motors — a fixture for Chrysler automotive customers in Shippensburg for 63 years — is for sale.

Owners Bill and Bob Naugle announced Thursday that they are actively seeking a buyer for the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep franchise in the 800 block of West King Street.

Bill Naugle says the dealership will continue to operate in its current form until a buyer is found.

“We are not closing our doors,” he said in a press release issued Thursday. “We are currently considering options with entities interested in purchasing the dealership. We’re waiting to see what develops.”

Bob Naugle says the announcement of the sale effort is aimed at protecting employees and maintaining a Chrysler outlet in Shippensburg.

“We informed our employees of our decision yesterday (May 14),” he says. “We wanted our valued employees to hear the news first and to have time to consider the various options that may be available to them.”

According to Bob Naugle, finding a buyer to keep a Chrysler presence in Shippensburg is important.

“Our intent is to keep a Chrysler dealer in place in Shippensburg, so local Chrysler customers will continue to have a place to service their vehicles,” he said Thursday.

Naugle Motors has been a family-owned dealership since Ed Naugle and his son Bill launched the business in 1945.

Bill and his younger brother Rich took over at the dealership in 1977, but Bill died in 1980, leaving Rich as sole owner until Bill, Jr. and Bob purchased their father’s share in 1986.

In 1992, the Naugle brothers purchased the entire business.

Both brothers stress their emotional attachment to the dealership.

“It was not an easy decision for us to make,” Bill says. “Our family has owned the business since 1945. However, the new vehicle industry has changed over the past several years.”

Bob declined to elaborate on the decision, saying “there are too many factors to discuss.”

Pay Goyt, an employee at Naugle Motors for 29 years, was left with little to say Thursday.

“It will be strange not coming here every day,” she commented, adding that she will not seek another job, but opt for retirement instead.

Bob Naugle says a future purchase could take one of several forms, including a purchase of the property and the franchise, a purchase of the franchise by a buyer who would then lease the property from the Naugles or a franchise buyer who chooses to relocate the dealership to a different location.
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