Aug
23
Carl Sewell, chairman and CEO of Dallas-based Sewell Automotive Cos., told the dealership’s 98 employees the location has been sold to an unnamed investment group comprised of several local dealers and General Motors.
“This was a very tough decision,” said Sewell. “Having this business in New Orleans is very important to me and my family. I will be forever grateful to our associates for their dedicated service.”
Sewell says the Baronne Street dealership’s departure will position the remaining New Orleans-area Chevrolet and Cadillac dealerships to more effectively serve the New Orleans market.
Chevrolet dealers in the New Orleans area include Banner Chevrolet in New Orleans, Leson Chevrolet Co. Inc. in Harvey, Bryan Chevrolet Inc. in Metairie, Robert Levis Chevrolet-Cadillac in Slidell, and Hood Automotive in Covington. Cadillac of Metairie is the only other dealer for that brand near New Orleans.
Sewell offered each employee a position at its dealerships in Dallas, Fort Worth, Grapevine, Plano and San Antonio, Texas and have been offered career assistance should they choose to remain in the New Orleans area.
Sewell Cadillac Chevrolet has been at the Baronne Street location in downtown New Orleans since 1984.
More than 200 cars were stolen from Sewell after Katrina, and a reported 97 were taken from members of the New Orleans Police Department. Many were new cars and when the police officers returned them, they were damaged and had flat tires.
