Doug Moreland
Its Dealin’ Doug like you’ve never seen him before. Watch as VISTA TV sits down for a candid conversation with one of the most recognized people in Colorado.
This is a story about GOOD news in today’s economy! It’s a great Colorado story. It’s a great American story! A story like this helps all of us believe in the American dream – believe in the American economy and believe in American industry!
Anyone who’s traveled down Havana will be familiar with the larger-than-the-street-below American flag that waves over traffic in front of Cherry Creek Dodge. Anyone who’s watched TV over the past 30 years will know the familiar face (and rings and Superman costume) of Dealin Doug! People throughout Colorado know… that “nobody beats a Dealin Doug deal!” This strategy of business has provided great careers for hundreds of Colorado employees caring for their families. Hundreds of thousands of Colorado car buying customers have been able to get into a reliable vehicle at an affordable price – because of a ‘Dealin Doug Deal!’
How this story began:
In December, 1979 – the head of an American company went to the Congress to ask for a loan to stay in business. The CEO knew his company was strong and offered a great product line-up, but it needed a loan. He put his money where his mouth was, by taking $1 for his own personal annual pay. It was December 1979 – it was Chrysler … it was Iacocca.
In January, 1980 – a man is asked to leave his successful dealership in Reno, Nevada to move to Denver to take over a struggling Dodge store in danger of closing. He wife and kids have to stay behind because of school – giving Doug six months of non-stop work to see if the dealership could be turned around. He moved into an apartment with one of the store’s managers, blocks away from the store and worked round the clock. His company strategy… “Nobody beats a Dealin Doug Deal!” And nobody did!
In January 1980 – it was Cherry Creek Dodge … it was Dealin Doug! The Dealin Doug Dealerships grew with time – and by the late 1990’s Doug and his partners built up 15 locally owned/managed stores running like a well-oiled machine on this successful formula. Hundreds of thousands of customers knew what it is to get a great car/truck “at a Dealin Doug deal… or he’d give them the car!” And it was this successful business model that got the attention of Lithia Motors.
1999 - Lithia comes to Denver to offer Doug … a deal he couldn’t refuse! In 1999 Doug sells eight of his stores to Lithia – Reno, Colorado Springs, two stores in Fort Collins and four stores in Denver. The Lithia deal was a good deal for Doug’s family, his partner’s and their families and for the car business.
Fast forward to current day…
In December 2008 – Chrysler goes to Congress and requests loans to stay in business. Chrysler CEO – Nardelli asks for help and adjusts his personal pay to $1 for the year. Sounds familiar?
January – April 2009 – Dealin Doug comes back into the Chrysler game … buying back five of the stores he sold to Lithia just ten years earlier. Centennial Chrysler, Fort Collins Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Fort Collins Hyundai, Colorado Chrysler Jeep and Cherry Creek Dodge are back in the possession of Dealin Doug! With these acquisitions – Dealin Doug and partners will own 11 new car dealerships in Colorado and 5 in Arizona as well as 3 Kids Auto used car outlets.
