By By ANDY HAMILTON / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Donna Palmer probably said it best.
Palmer was referring to the long-awaited grand opening of the Tyler Automotive Hummer facility on South 11th Street in Niles Township. The Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce held a special business after hours ceremony Thursday to celebrate the completion of the project the President of Tyler Automotive's GM Division Scott Tyler announced in August of 2005.
Community members, fellow chamber members, Niles Township representatives and General Motors executives all packed into the new Hummer showroom. The evening event was more than the typical grand opening. Guests enjoyed a 20-foot table jammed with food and a selection of drinks. The only object taking up more room was the glistening black H2 parked in the middle of the showroom floor.
Outside, visitors toured a display of Pontiac performance race cars, including a GTO.R parked in front of the large block ‘H' the Hummer building is centered around.
GM Zone Manager Jim Herwaldt said the Tyler building was the youngest brand new Hummer facility in the world, and, said the Tyler family “has been an outstanding representative of GM for us and for our customers.”
Two AM General factories just across the border in Indiana produce both the H1 and H2 models.
General Manager of Hummer Martin Walsh said the Tyler building was the 115th Hummer store to open, and at least 70 more will follow this year. But, a facility in Niles was a unique situation because of its location near the AM General headquarters.
Tyler also said being the only home town Hummer dealer was a proud moment for the Tyler family.
And, proud to open it with the grandest of celebrations.