Ledingham merges Steinbach dealers

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This article was published 20/10/2006 (7116 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE Ledingham Family is giving Winnipeg drivers a new reason to make the trip to Steinbach. As of Nov. 1, the family is combining its two GM dealerships in one location.

“We felt that by merging the two dealerships, we would be better able to compete with the big city guys and still be able to offer that small-town shopping experience,” says dealer principal Kent Ledingham.

The Ledingham family has a long history in the auto business in Saskatchewan. In 2004, the Family bought both Brookdale Pontiac Buick — which was subsequently renamed Ledingham Pontiac Buick GMC — and Penner Chev Olds. Both had been fixtures in Steinbach going back — in Penner’s case, more than 60 years, and for Brookdale, almost as long. The Ledinghams continued to operate Penner independently under the Penner name. But no longer.

The two stores are being combined at the Ledingham Pontiac location as Ledingham GM. Ledingham reports that the family invested about $1 million in expanding the service department in the Pontiac store. The work began at the beginning of May.

“We added 5,000 square feet and five service bays (bringing the total to 18),” Ledingham says. “With the expansion, we will be able to accommodate all the customers from both locations.”

He notes that all of the staff from the two stores have been retained. “Penner customers will be greeted by the same friendly people they are used to dealing with,” Ledingham notes.

The combined stores’ inventory will be over 200 new and a similar number of used vehicles.

Ledingham reports that there are plans to renovate the showroom as well — but, he says, that’s a year or two down the road.