Toyota weathers challenging times

This is part of a series of articles on how Pueblo’s major new/used and used automobile dealers are coping with the challenges that industry is facing.

It's Toyota tough.

The brand name is helping his car dealership cope with hard times, says John Butkovich, Pueblo Toyota general manager.

"Business is still a little sluggish," Butkovich said this week of his 2125 U.S. 50 West enterprise. "But December was better than November, January was better than December and February is holding its own.

"We're not where we were before, but I feel like we're getting some traction."

Butkovich said that Toyota's line of hybrid cars, cars that use more than gasoline to move, has enticed people into his store.

"We have the Prius, Camry and the Highlander," he said. "We have a couple on the lot, where when gas prices were so high last year we had to order them and buyers had to wait.

"The new Venza is a popular model. It's not a hybrid, but it is a cross between an SUV and a car. They were just launched and we have a few in."

The hybrid models come complete with a tax break, he said.

The veteran of 25 years in the auto business, the last 13 at Toyota, said it is certainly "the most challenging time" he has seen.

"We can only rely on the product," Butkovich said. "And the value of the product."

He pointed out that most Toyotas are built in Tennessee and Texas, an American car.

"Sixty percent of our vehicles are made in America," he said. "Every automaker gets their parts from all over the world."

The hybrids are made in Japan, he said.

Pueblo Toyota has been in business for 26 years and employs 50 workers. They also sell used cars of all makes and models.

"We've seen an uptick in our service business, because I think people are holding on to their cars longer," he said.

"But really, it's business as usual. We haven't changed a lot."

Source: http://www.chieftain.com/