7725 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland  20814
April 2009

Dear Chevy Chase Chevrolet Customers,

I would like to tell you about some new things happening this month at our dealership. As of April 1, 2009, we have voluntarily ended our relationship with General Motors and will no longer sell new Chevrolet vehicles. WE WILL CONTINUE TO SERVICE CHEVROLET CARS AND TRUCKS AS WELL AS ALL OTHER GM VEHICLES. And we will, of course, continue to honor all commitments and obligations we have made to our customers.

Our plan is to relocate our CHEVY CHASE ACURA sales and service operations one block north to 7725 Wisconsin
Ave. Additionally, I am pleased to announce that in May we will be opening a new dealership, CHEVY CHASE
NISSAN, located at 7701 Wisconsin Ave.

For 70 years we have strived to satisfy our customers' transport ation needs by MAKING FRIENDS THROUGH SALES, AND KEEPING THEM THROUGH SERVICE. Our name has changed a few times. My grandfather, Art Bowis, called the dealership "Chevy Chase Motor Company". My father, Fred, changed the name to "Chevyland". And when we branched off into other franchises, I changed the name to "Chevy Chase Cars".

Throughout the decades, Chevrolet had been a very popular brand in Bethesda. But over the years its popularity waned as sales from the import brands increased. Even though nationwide the 3 domestic manufacturers still have about 50% market share, the sales ratio in this market is about 90% import versus only 10% domestic vehicles.

Last year was a very difficult year for GM. The instability of gas prices caused the sales of its most popular trucks and SUV's to plummet. And the housing market collapse set off a financial credit crisis that has impacted every business and every consumer in America. The frozen credit markets has had such an adverse affect on GM, that bankruptcy, once only rumored, was now a probability.

Ironically, the Chevrolet cars and trucks that GM has been producing in recent years have been the best quality vehicles in its history. Unfortunately the business model that GM operates under is broken and GM dealerships around the country have been suffering for sometime. We were not immune to this and regrettably we had to make the right business decision for the company, our employees, and our customers.

As previously stated, we have retained a team of Chevy technicians and service personnel that will continue to provide the excellent service experience our customers have come to expect from us over the years. There is no reason why Chevy Chase Cars cannot service and maintain your vehicle for many years to come.

And when it's time to replace that car I invite you to check out our full line of Acura and Nissan cars, trucks, SUV's and crossovers. And remember, we also sell all makes of pre-owned vehicles from Chevy to Toyota to Volkswagen. If you still want to buy another new Chevy, I will be happy to refer you to another dealer who can help you.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for your friendship over the years and your continued patronage.

Sincerely,

John F. Bowis
President

 


Phone: 301-657-4000
bowis@chevychasecars.com
www.chevychasecars.com