Dealerships drive forward

Two local auto dealerships are continuing to grow.

In addition to its expansion into a new lot at 3200 East Lincolnway in Sterling, Kunes Country has established a management agreement to take over the operation of Schuler Motors in Morrison, where it already has a dealership.

Majeski Motors, headquartered in Sterling with a dealership and service stations in Dixon, will build a new lot and a detail center across from its East Fourth Street location on two parcels of land along 17th Avenue it acquired in the last 2 years.

Kunes’ management of Schuler Motors, 727 W. Lincolnway, comes as a buy-sell agreement is being worked out between the two; it needs the approval of Schuler’s manufacturers: Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram.

“It’s been a family business for 70 years, and we’re very excited to continue the Schuler legacy into the future,” Kunes CFO David Hayes said. “We’ll help its existing customer base, have more options, and help out the town of Morrison itself.”

Kunes also has a location at 627 E. Lincolnway in Morrison, which it bought from the Pete Harkness Auto Group in April 2015; it will continue to operate with no changes, Hayes said.

Ed and Pauline Schuler opened their dealership in 1949 in downtown Morrison; it has been located along Rock Creek since 1967. Their son, Mark, is president and general manager.

Kunes also is opening a new-car lot and service center at 3200 E. Lincolnway in Sterling, currently home to Sauk Valley Media, which will be its third location in town.

Majeski Motors opened in 2005 in the 1700 block of East Fourth Street. It opened its Dixon location in 2016 and bought the former Weigle’s Transmission shop on state Route 2 west of Dixon 2 years later.

The property at 208 17th Ave. in Sterling was bought in 2017, and the adjacent corner lot to the south was acquired the following year. The parcels have been vacant for years.

“The growth has been overwhelming to say the least, and we are blessed with wonderful customers as well as employees second to none,” Majeski wrote on a company Facebook post.

“Nothing great has ever been easily accomplished. It has been very, very exciting, and we look forward to continued success and growth.”

About the dealerships

Majeski Motors sells a wide variety of used vehicles. Go to majeskimotorsinc.com or call 815-625-9600 or 815-288-9600 for more information.

Kunes Country is a family-owned business founded in Delavan, Wisconsin in 1996. It has dealerships in Sterling, Morrison, Mount Carroll and Oregon, and sells Ford, Lincoln, Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles. Go to kunescountry.com for more information and locations.

Schüler Motors sells Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram brands. Go to schulermotors.net or call 815-286-4122.