Grant Law Also Sells Newton GMC-Mitsubishi
posted May 24, 2007
The city's oldest automobile dealership - Newton Chevrolet - is being sold.
Grant Law, whose family has been in the auto business since Depression days, is also selling Newton GMC-Mitsubishi.
Newton Chevrolet is being sold to the Watson family and will become Mountain View Chevrolet.
Mr. Law said he will retain the 11 acres of land and the buildings at MLK Boulevard and Riverfront Parkway. He said he expects that the Chevrolet dealership will remain at the same location for a year and a half to two years until the Watsons move it.
Newton GMC-Mitsubishi, which is located at the corner of Shallowford Road and Chapman Road, is being sold to Tim Kelly of Kelly Cadillac.
Mr. Kelly said he had been seeking a location in the Highway 153 area "and this worked out perfectly for both us and Grant."
He stated, "We are very excited about this move as it will allow us to combine all our GM franchises in one facility, with Subaru and Mitsubishi in another. Grant has built a business of unmatched integrity and high customer loyalty, and we are honored to be able to carry on his tradition of great customer service."
Mr. Law said, "I have the highest regard for Tim and Pat Kelly as quality individuals, as highly ethical businessmen, and as citizens deeply involved in our community's civic life, having known them as friends and as business neighbors for many years. I am particularly pleased that my fine, loyal and dedicated staff at Newton GMC/Mitsubishi will have the opportunity to work for a stronger business which will offer both enhanced job security and better earnings possibilities in the larger, combined Kelly GM operations, with the Kellys' impending purchase of Newton GMC/Mitsubishi on Shallowford Road."
The plan, Mr. Kelly said, is to move Cadillac, SAAB and Hummer, which are considered GM's "premium" brands, from their location downtown to the Chapman Road location, where they will be sold alongside GMC trucks. He said Cadillac and GMC "have a long history of sales success side-by-side as they represent the pinnacle of high-end truck sales along with GM's top luxury brands."
Mr. Kelly said he plans to move Mitsubishi downtown into Kelly's current Riverfront Parkway location, where they will be sold and serviced alongside Subaru. He said, "This is a great brand combination, as both have long track records of building innovative, reliable products, as well as both building the worlds' finest rally racing vehicles. Having both brands under one roof at our large downtown location will really allow us to focus on the unique qualities and attributes of both of these great Japanese brands, while still offering a service presence downtown for our customers who are accustomed to that location."
Mr. Kelly is the third generation of his family in the auto business. His grandfather, Jim Ayers, started Ayers Motors in 1938. His father, Pat Kelly, is still involved in the business.
Andy Watson will be the dealer for the new Mountain View Chevrolet.
His uncle, Austin Watson, acquired Forrest Cate Ford in 1981 and changed the name to Mountain View Ford. The family also operates Mountain View Nissan. Both are on E. 20th Street.
Andy Watson is a son of Dick Watson, brother of Austin Watson.
Don Watson and David Watson, sons of Austin Watson, are also involved in the business, as is Don Thomas, son-in-law of Don Watson.
Andy Watson said, "We look forward to continuing the same excellent service that Grant's family has always provided to Chevrolet customers."
Mr. Law noted that his grandfather, Emmett S. Newton, founded Newton Chevrolet in August 1929 after buying Couch-Jones Chevrolet.
The location was on Market through to Broad between Third and Fourth streets. The old showroom still stands and is part of the lifestyle center of the Sports Barn.
Emmett Newton was active in the business until he died on Valentine's Day 1955.
Grant Law's father, Halbert G. "Hobby" Law, married a daughter of Emmett Newton. He was a residential architect with William Crutchfield with offices on Pine Street from 1931 to the start of World War II. After the war, he was involved with Newton Chevrolet until his death on New Year's Eve 1981.
Grant Law began working at Newton Chevrolet when he was 14 years old - sweeping floors and unloading parts from trucks. He became fulltime in July 1973.
Mr. Law, who is 60, said he wants to devote more time to the community and his family, especially his 14-year-old son, Newton Law.
Newton Chevrolet has 91 employees and Newton GMC-Mitsubishi has 57.
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