November 30, 2009
Dear Customers / Friends / Community Members:
It is with extreme sadness that I announce the closing of Signer Buick-Cadillac as of November 30, 2009. Our dealership is one of approximately 1350 dealers General Motors terminated as a result of the $50 billion U. S. Government loan/General Motors bankruptcy arrangement in June 2009. Our closure comes after 29 years as the first and only Buick dealership, and 19 years as the first and only Cadillac dealership ever in Fremont and Newark. I have resided in Fremont the entire 29 years, and have enjoyed being an active member of the community.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the thousands of customers who have supported Signer Buick-Cadillac during our 29 years in business. You became friends and part of the Signer Buick-Cadillac family. We will miss you.
I also wish to thank my loyal employees who have stood by me for so many years, and contributed to the family atmosphere that we have enjoyed. With an average tenure of more than 13 years, many of our employees have invested most of their careers here. I thank them all for their dedicated service, and deeply regret that their jobs and family incomes have ended through no fault of their own.
The foundation of Signer Buick-Cadillac has always been honesty, integrity, and professional conduct and customer treatment. I firmly believe it is largely due to customer loyalty resulting from this fact that we have survived in business with brands whose sales volumes are a small fraction of those of competitors, including GM’s truck lines. As a member of Fremont Rotary since 1983, I feel that Rotary’s Four Way Test best expresses our philosophy…
“Of the things we think, say or do:
Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?”
As I complete the most difficult action of my life — the GM-induced closure of the business into which I invested my heart and soul — I again wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to all who have supported Signer Buick-Cadillac and me for the past 29 years.
Sincerely,
Don
Donald R. Signer
President
Signer Buick-Cadillac
Newark, California
Donsigner.com note: The above is the exact text of the letter addressed to my employees and the public at the time of closure. Please see the Home Page of donsigner.com if you have not already seen it, and then Dealership History and Expanded Details for additional insight. If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail them to don@donsigner.com.
