Sonju to sell Fords after 42-year absence

The owners of Sonju Motors and Two Harbors Ford announced that they will be merging operations in the near future. After remodeling and building construction is completed, the new Sonju operation will be selling Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ford and Mercury products--all from the current Two Harbors Ford location.

“This is something we have been trying to achieve for many years--bringing the uniqueness of having the three domestic car companies all located at one location that is ideally suited for a car dealership and under the Sonju name,” said Terry Johnson, president of Sonju Motors. “More importantly, this consolidation will continue to allow us to pass on savings to our loyal customers.”

“As things have changed in the automobile industry, the automobile manufacturers have become more receptive to coexisting with each other-especially in small communities such as this,” Johnson said. “The Two Harbors Ford location gives us 30 acres of land to operate from, and allows us to operate from a newer building, whereas the Sonju facility is older and with only seven acres of land has at times constrained us in our ability to grow our business and properly display our automobiles.”

Sonju was formed in 1925 by the founder Alfred Sonju and has operated out of its current facility since 1975. Sonju Motors sold new Fords in Two Harbors until 1966, when the General Motors franchises were taken on. The Chrysler Corporation franchises were added in 1982.

The Two Harbors Ford dealership has been at its current location since 1995 and was purchased by some of the Sonju investors in 2000 from the Benna organization. The current plan for the Two Harbors Ford facility is for a facility facelift and the addition of a separate show floor for some of the additional franchises.

The Two Harbors Ford sales operation will be temporarily relocated next door to Sonju during remodeling and construction. Plans also include the addition of a separate car wash facility for use by Sonju customers. It is expected that the current staffs at both stores will be retained in the combined operation.

As to the future of the current Sonju facility, Johnson says that while he has been in contact with some national retail chains regarding a possible sale, nothing is imminent, and it is expected that in the near future that the facility will be put up for sale or lease.

Tags: sonju, twoharborsford, merger