Glockner recently added a new 30,000 square-foot showroom.
“This facility gives people a reason to come here, I think. It's something new, it's exciting, it will allow us to serve people better,” said owner Tim Glockner. “It will allow us to have more inventory, and it will be a great work environment for our employees. And when you have happy employees, you have happy customers, and hopefully we can carry this thing on another generation. That makes seven, and that is what we're shooting for.”
No one seems to know more about the generations of the Glockner family of dealerships than Tim's grandfather, Ebbie Glockner.
“My great-grandfather came over from Germany in 1840,” Ebbie Glockner said. “And it's gone from hardware to buggies to wagons, to taking on Chevrolet back in 1914, the first year they built Chevrolet, and it has just kept rolling.”
Ebbie Glockner said he came along as the fourth generation of the family, followed by Andy Glockner, the father of Tim Glockner.
Tim Glockner talked about the rankings of cars with high gasoline mileage. He said he has nearly all of the Top 10 in that category in his showroom.
“We are in the driver's seat, no doubt, and it won't be like that every year, so we're going to take advantage of it while we can,” he said. “We represent, in my opinion, the two greatest brands in America, and we're very proud of that.”
Combining Toyota and Honda in the same dealership is unheard of, and Tim Glockner said he didn't have an explanation as to how his dealership was able to achieve the combination.
“You need to ask my dad. He's the one who made that happen in 1977, so this is 30 years of being a Honda/Toyota duo,” Tim Glockner said.
Andy Glockner said the family-owned business is unique.
“Toyota and Honda allowed this, and to my knowledge, it is the only Toyota/Honda duo in the country, and for a small market like we're in, it's the only way we felt like we could make it work,” Andy Glockner said. “There's a lot of investment here, and it's going to take a lot to get a return from it.”
Government leaders in attendance seemed to be equally impressed with the showroom.
“It's lovely. It's always good when a business can expand and branch out, and make the community look a little better,” said Portsmouth City Councilman David Malone.
Scioto County Commissioner Mike Crabtree was also impressed with the new showroom.
“I noticed some of the new models, and they are real high-mileage vehicles,” said Crabtree. “Something like I need with that big truck I've got. It is a beautiful place. It's going to be a good addition to Scioto County. There's bound to be some new jobs here, and probably with the new line of Honda vehicles, there will be a lot more sales, and probably the spinoff will benefit the community.”
Andy Glockner said it was the fourth time in three months he has been in the new project, but he thinks it looks great.
“Honestly, it's Tim and his people, and it's Toyota and Honda,” Andy Glockner said. “The team that he (Tim Glockner) has assembled around him, I'm sure it's going to be successful.”
Food, and entertainment by the Poverty String Band, highlighted the evening. People mingled, talked business, and toured the new facility.
Tim Glockner predicted the hybrid cars on the market today are just the beginning of high-mileage vehicles.
“I think they are a stepping stone to hydrogen cars, and Honda has a hydrogen car that is not on the market, and they've been working on it for a few years,” he said. “And I think that is where the future lies.”
FRANK LEWIS can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 232.
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