Louis Williamson

• 
  Auto Market - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 8/9/2002    Last Visited: 8/9/2002  

  "One of the reasons I was excited about buying the dealership is Lincoln is expanding their bottom line over the next three years," Williamson says."They hope to revitalize the brand to a younger buyer."Williamson started under his father, Louis Williamson, who was one of the original owners of the Fairway Ford dealership 30 years ago.Fairway purchased what was then know as Century Lincoln Mercury in 1992, where Ervin became general manager.
  
  Sonic Automotive purchased the dealership in 1998 and Williamson remained as general manager.Through Ford's Dealer Development Program, Williamson purchased the dealership in March."The program allows a dealer or operator to put up a minimum investment and then buy out Ford's equity from profits instead of making fixed monthly payments," Williamson says."We buy out their share."
  
  Williamson plans to renovate the interior and exterior of the dealership, particularly the waiting lounge.Heritage Lincoln Mercury will also reinstate the loaner-car program for customers leaving their vehicles for service.According to Bruton Smith, chairman and CEO of Sonic Automotive, Sonic could not get the dealership to perform up to the company's standard.This leaves only one Sonic dealership in the Upstate, Century BMW.

• 
  Wheels and deals - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 1/15/2004    Last Visited: 1/15/2004  

  Williamson started under his father, Louis Williamson, who was one of the original owners of the Fairway Ford dealership 30 years ago.
  ...
  Sonic Automotive purchased the dealership in 1998 and Williamson remained as general manager.Through Ford's Dealer Development Program, Williamson purchased the dealership in March.
  
  "The program allows a dealer or operator to put up a minimum investment and then buy out Ford's equity from profits instead of making fixed monthly payments," Williamson says.

Page: