Ed Bozarth Chevrolet opens in northwest

Ed Bozarth and Colonel Sanders, founder of KFC, have one life-changing event in common. On Bozarth's 65th birthday on Nov. 11, 2008, he purchased a Chevrolet dealership in Las Vegas. Col. Sanders started KFC when he turned 65 to supplement his retirement income. Bozarth is confident that his Ed Bozarth Chevrolet dealership will be a success in Southern Nevada.

Although U.S. auto sales were near the bottom of a sales slump in March 2009 and General Motors Corp. was sliding toward bankruptcy, Bozarth believed in the company.

"We knew that General Motors had this great product and now that is being recognized. The Equinox is the No. 1 most sought after car in America, the Camero is the No. 2 most sought after car in America and the SUVs are 50 percent of the marketplace. We are absolutely thrilled to be here," he said.

Bozarth started in the car business in 1950 and operates other dealerships in Denver; Grand Junction, Colo.; and Topeka, Kan. On Feb. 25, the dealership held its official grand opening to introduce Ed Bozarth Chevrolet to Las Vegas. The cocktail party and dinner for invited guests, including other car dealers, staff and customers showcased the new models, the philosophy of the company and its owner and the property. One of the service areas was set up for the sit-down dinner to demonstrate how the dealership maintains all of its buildings.

C.J. Romig, executive vice president, transferred with his family from Topeka to Las Vegas in 2009.

"(When) we arrived last January, we didn't have the inventory, we didn't have the staff and we didn't have the service capabilities, so we didn't want to have a big send off introducing us until we had the staff and inventory ready to go and help people," Romig said. "It's been a tough market, but the people are super friendly and down to earth and that is what I am used to."

Romig said several Chevrolet models have been selling well. "We have the brand-new 2010 Camaro, which is very hot right now. We are competing with the Mustang and we are really blowing the doors off the Mustang. The new SUV crossover, the Equinox, is hot; we can't even keep that model in stock. We have the new Cruze coming out to replace the Cobalt. Silverado trucks have been favored heavily in 'Consumer Reports' right now. Traverse favored heavily in 'Consumer Reports' so Chevrolet is doing a good job right now," he said.

One anticipated model is the Camero convertible. "The Camero convertible won't be out until this fall," Romig said, "but we do stock Cameros with sunroofs and very sporty rides."

Located at U.S. Highway 95 and Ann Road, the dealership, located in a 70,000-square-foot facility sitting on nine acres, offers new Chevrolet models, preowned vehicles and service for all makes and models.

According to Vice President Kent Bozarth, Ed Bozarth's son and partner, "We have the largest inventory of any Chevy dealer in town, new and used. In comparison to some of the Chevy dealers in town, we have almost seven times as many cars in stock for used inventory as our competition."

Kent Bozarth moved with his family from Topeka to Las Vegas to work in the business. "We are just incredibly excited. Las Vegas -- what an amazing place to do business. Great community, dynamic growth possibilities and wonderful place to be," he said.

Ed Bozarth and his family just recently purchased a home in Las Vegas to make the move official. On the day of the grand opening, Bozarth said he felt the same emotions as when he was, "in the state track meet for the half-mile championship. I absolutely love it. We got our family here, we got people from the other dealerships here and we are going to have a great time."

Ed Bozarth's goal with his new Las Vegas Chevrolet dealership is that "we are going the offer the cars people are looking for and give them what they want."