Maplewood's Volvo Dealership Changes Hands: 5 Things to Know

After 43 years, Maplewood's John Weiss Volvo dealership closed on May 23, selling to the Dean Team franchise, according to the St. Louis Business Journal. Weiss sold to Patrick Dean, William Dean and Mary Jinkerson. The three own four other St. Louis-area Dean dealerships.

Five things about the dealership:

1. According to the St. Louis Business Journal, in 2006, Weiss Brentwood Volvo sold 1,193 vehicles and 666 in 2010. Up to the sale, in 2013, the dealership sold 79 vehicles.
2. A Dean manager said the new dealership retained about 75 percent of Weiss’ former employees, but employees who spoke to the Business Journal said it was closer to 50 percent.
3. Maplewood’s John Weiss Volvo dealership began in Brentwood and still carries that in its name. A consultant to the dealership, Dick Richards, said Volvo wants their dealerships to be identified as to where they were or where they are. The stationery will say Maplewood.
4. The new dealership will sell more used cars than before. Anything from a $350,000 Ferrari or Bentley down to an $8,000 Volvo or Volkswagen, Richards said.
5. Edin (Eddie) Hadziefendic is the new general manager.