PORT ANGELES — The North Olympic Peninsula’s oldest car dealership continues to reinvent itself.
A year after losing its franchise with Chrysler, Murray Motors in Port Angeles has become Carquest Auto Parts dealer, owner Mark Murray announced this week.
The Carquest chain has more than 3,000 locations in North America, most of which are independently owned and operated with roots in their communities.
Murray Motors has had a presence in Clallam County since the 1920s.
“I think it’s a natural thing to help supplement and help our service department,” said Murray, the third-generation owner of the Murray Motors dealership and service center at 302 E. First St.
“Carquest is a very quality product, and I think we’re going to do well with it.”
The other Carquest franchise on the North Olympic Peninsula is in Forks at Whitehead’s Auto Parts, 371 N. Forks Ave.,
Murray Motors had always sold Chrysler parts. Now it sells all types of parts and accessories to both retail and wholesale customers.
A difficult year
Murray sees the Carquest franchise as an opportunity to salvage a very difficult year. His dealership was one of 15 in the state and 789 in the country that Chrysler dropped last summer amid bankruptcy.
Murray received a letter from the U.S. automaker last May 14 saying he would no longer be a Chrysler dealer as of June 9, 2009.
He scrambled to sell his remaining stock of new Chryslers and turned his attention to used cars and the service department.
“We’re still heavy into the service department,” Murray said.
“The whole key to our business has always been service — take care of the customer and they’ll take care of you.”
All makes and models
The Murray Motors service shop repairs all makes and models.
Used car sales have been slow — there were four vehicles on the lot Wednesday — but the service department has stayed busy throughout the Chrysler fiasco, Murray said.
“I’m going to keep my licence to sell used cars,” he said. “I’m not into that real heavy right now until this [Carquest] gets off the ground and gets going.”
Murray described Chrysler’s decision as “shocking” and “unbelievable.”
Murray Motors had been selling Chryslers in Clallam County since 1934.
“I was stunned,” he said. “I didn’t think it would happen. I didn’t think it could happen. But it sure did.”
Many customers sent letters to Chrysler last summer urging the automaker to keep Murray Motors on its roster.
Boosted morale
The Carquest franchise has boosted the morale of the 11 employees on Murray’s payroll.
“It’s actually kind of nice to see some excitement around here again after all the depressing things we’ve had to go through,” Murray said.
“It’s been very tough: physically, emotionally, financially. My main focus has been, keep the place open so I can keep my employees working.
“My employees are like family to me. They’re a big part of the program.
“I’ve struggled with thoughts and ideas of what to do to keep the place open and keep going. After much discussion and thought, we chose Carquest.”
Carquest sent a team of 16 to unload three semi trucks full of auto parts and train Murray’s staff. Stocking started on Monday. It was anticipated that the shelves would be full by the end of this week.
“We’ve very proud and excited to be a part of it,” Murray said.
“The people that they sent up here are very quality people and they’re doing a great job getting everything arranged.”
First sale Tuesday
The franchise became official on Tuesday, when Murray Motors sold its first Carquest parts.
A grand opening ceremony is planned after the busy transition period, likely in a month or so.
Murray is working with the city on new Carquest sign. He is considering repainting the outside of his business.
“We’ll going to spruce the place up a little bit more,” Murray said.
Now that he has the franchise, Murray expects to extend his hours and hire more staff in the future.
Murray Motors had 15 employees before losing Chrysler.
Began in Clallam Bay
Murray’s grandfather, Bart Murray Sr., started Murray Motors as an auto shop in Clallam Bay in the 1920s. He obtained the Chrysler franchise in 1934. The business moved to Port Angeles in 1944.
Mark Murray’s father, Bart Murray Jr., took over the company with his brother, Roland, in the early 1980s.
Mark Murray started working for the family business full time in the mid-1970s. He became store manager and owner in the early 1990s.
“My son, Matthew, is working for me,” Mark Murray said. “I’m hoping that he will be destined to carry on the Murray family tradition of being in automotive business in Port Angeles and Clallam County.”
Meanwhile, Murray Motors will press on, adapting to the changing tides.
“Who knows what the future holds?” Mark Murray said. “But I believe we’ll survive and grow and do our thing.”
________
Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
