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Grappling At The Plaza

Kathy Waters/Highlands Today

Tony Rose and Brandi Daniels are coordinating the Coastal Championship Wrestling event, which will be Sept. 20 at Plaza Chevrolet in Avon Park.

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By BILL ROGERS

Highlands Today

Published: September 7, 2008

AVON PARK - General Manager Tony Rose said Plaza Chevrolet is a "little bitty store" compared to others.

To help people get to know "who we are," the Avon Park dealership brought in Elvis impersonator David Lee in July.

This month, wrestlers from Coastal Championship Wrestling will be in action. The show will begin at 4 p.m. Sept. 20. There is no admission charge.

"It's different," Rose said. "I think it will be something."

There will be five singles matches and a tag-team match in an 18-foot by 18-foot ring that will be set up in the middle of the parking lot of the dealership at 601 U.S. 27 N.

Dan Ackerman said CCW, which has been in business for five years, has never done a show at a car dealership.

"It's the first time for us," said Ackerman, the company's vice president.

The show will include the following: The Warlord (former WWE Superstar), Bruno Sassi (former TNA Superstar), Kahagas (Southeastern Champion and Highlands County resident), CCW Heavyweight Champion Dok Rivers, JT Flash, JB Cool, Cash Money Alex G., Temptress Kimberly, Jessika Haze, Reiken, Matt Bateman, Pablo Marquez and Dade County Collision.

Rose said he would like to do something different once a month. He noted that Lee, the Elvis impersonator, will return in October.

Rose said hamburgers, hot dogs and soft drinks will be sold during the wrestling show. Proceeds will go to the Avon Park High School football team.

According to an Associated Press story, nearly every major automaker saw its U.S. sales drop in August, but many are seeing signs that the worst slump in recent history may have bottomed out.

Most upbeat were executives from General Motors Corp., which posted a 20.3 percent sales decline from a year ago but a 31 percent improvement over July's dismal totals.

Chrysler LLC said its U.S. sales fell more than 34 percent in August, while Ford Motor Co. reported a 26.5 percent decline. Toyota Motor Corp.'s sales dipped 9.4 percent, and Honda Motor Co. saw a 7.3 percent slide.

Nissan Motor Co. was the only major automaker to report an increase over August 2007: Its sales climbed 13.6 percent.

Even though most automakers saw sales drop, many predicted the overall market would be up substantially over July, the worst month for U.S. sales in 16 years.

Rose said Plaza is doing well particularly with used cars. He noted that sales have doubled from the previous year.

Other local dealers have also been trying to increase traffic by doing promotions.

Saturn of Sebring is participating in a national contest called "Kiss My Astra." Contestants just have to have a photo taken of themselves kissing the car and then submit it.

The winner will receive a five-door Astra, a compact which lists for $22,260.

Ferron Jackson, sales and leasing consultant at the Saturn dealership in Sebring, took a a white five-door Astra XR from the showroom to a golf tournament in Sun 'n Lake last month. Jackson gave a free sleeve of golf balls to golfers who kissed the car and had their photos taken.

Wells Dodge Chrysler auctioned a limited edition Dodge Challenger earlier this year.

In other news about the local car business, two dealers either have moved or are in the process of changing locations.

All Star Car Sales To Consolidate

All Star Car Sales will be moving its operation from the Alternate 27 location in Sebring to its truck lot on U.S. 27 next to Wendy's this fall.

Scott Albritton, the co-owner of the business with Debra Graves, said the building is at least 50 years old and would require an extensive renovation. He added the roof leaks.

Florida Hospital Heartland Division owns the building and the three acres of land it sits on, according to Albritton.

Albritton said the 2,200 square-foot addition will include a second floor with a conference room and an office.

"We wanted to get to the highway," said Albritton, noting that some people don't know where the Alt. 27 dealership is. "We want to serve our customers."

Albritton hopes to be in the 27 location by Nov. 1.

McPhail's Moves Next Door

McPhail's Auto Sales has moved next door to the site of the former Heartland Motors on U.S. 27 in Sebring.

"We need to get a bigger space," said Danny McPhail, president of the company. "This gives an opportunity to expand."

Cars, trucks and SUVs are sold there. McPhail plans to sell new open and closed trailers beginning in October.

Its hours of operation are 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 - 5 Saturday.

McPhail said he has been in the car business for 17 years, working for Heartland Motors and Jim Blackman Ford.

Bill Rogers may be reached at 386-5825 or wrogers@highlandstoday.com.

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