Ben Mynatt keeps its Chevys

CONCORD — Ben Mynatt Chevrolet Cadillac will stay in business after General Motors agreed to reinstate the franchise, the dealership said in a press release today.

"We are thrilled to be back with General Motors," Cyndie Mynatt, chief executive officer of Ben Mynatt Chevrolet Cadillac, said in the press release.

"We are more determined than ever to serve our customers and continue a tradition that has lasted for more than 30 years," Mynatt said. "We also want to thank all our supporters, who have been absolutely instrumental in the success of our campaign."

Ben Mynatt was among 2,000 dealerships nationwide that lost GM franchises last year as the company reorganized in an effort to return to profitability. But Congress passed a law requiring an appeals process for the dealers and many regained their franchises.

Among them was Team Chevrolet in Salisbury, which learned in March it would keep its Cadillac franchise after initially being stripped of the brand by GM. Team was among 661 dealerships to have franchises reinstated by General Motors at that time, but Ben Mynatt wasn't.

Ben Mynatt and the community continued a campaign to save the Chevrolet Cadillac dealership, which included a petition, the website www.savebenmynattchevy.com and a Facebook page that attracted 600 fans. The company says hundreds of letters also poured into the dealership, including support from U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell and N.C. Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco.

"We couldn't have done this without the support of the community," Cyndie Mynatt said. "We are so thankful for all of their efforts and encouragement. We are forever grateful to them."

The dealership opened in 1976, and company officials say the community showed it such support because the Mynatt family and its dealership have given to the community, including more than $1 million in charitable donations. The Ben Mynatt Children's Foundation has raised more than $250,000.

The reinstatement will allow the dealership to start rebuilding its inventory of new vehicles, and plans are in the works for a celebration, the press release said.

Ben Mynatt also operates another Concord store selling GM products, as well as a Nissan dealership in Salisbury.