By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Donna Lochmandy, owner of Niles' newest car dealership, is a third-generation auto dealer. The love of the auto industry started with her grandfather, then her father. Needless to say, she has plenty of experience to open this dealership.
Lochmandy was on hand Friday for the grand opening of HeartCity Toyota-Chrysler, located at 1202 S. 11th St. She said she is very excited about the new Niles location and being part of the community.
"Niles is the perfect location. It's close enough to the other store (HeartCity in Elkhart, Ind.) and that's what we were looking for," she said.
Lochmandy said the reason for the move to Michigan was that, after hearing feedback from customers, the Elkhart store was a long drive for a lot of people.
"We didn't want that to inconvenience someone from coming to our store, so we decided that we should break off and this was just perfect for us," she said.
Lochmandy explained that HeartCity is different from other dealerships because they offer a hassle-free approach to their customers and offer quality used cars at prices that can't be beat.
This is made possible by the Program Vehicle Program, which is why HeartCity is known as "The Program Car Factory."
The initial depreciation of a vehicle is absorbed by a rental company, which is why Heart City can offer an opportunity to buy a car, van or sport utility vehicle that can't be told from new. The vehicles have lots of warranty remaining and very low miles at a price far below brand new.
Heart City is a Toyota and Chrysler franchise dealer, but when they find a great deal on program/rental units from another manufacturer, they offer it to the customer.
Take for example the Ford Taurus. There are a handful of them on the Niles lot.
"They are great cars. They have a great reputation and they usually sell like hotcakes," Lochmandy said.
Heart City is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
"We are excited to bring cars here, bring value to Niles and we are very happy to be in this location," Lochmandy said.