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Ford reps speak here about auto industry's importance in Montana
By KEILA SZPALLER of the Missoulian

Bitterroot Motors owner Kathy Ogren speaks at a Ford news conference in Missoula Thursday stressing the auto industry's importance in Montana.
Photo by Linda Thompson of the Missoulian
As American automakers on Capitol Hill asked Thursday for a rescue from taxpayers, Ford Motor Co. representatives and supporters in Missoula stressed the industry’s importance in Big Sky Country.

“It is such an important economic driver in Missoula,” said Gary Bakke, with the Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce. “Ford is one of them.”

Bakke spoke at a Ford news conference held Thursday morning at Bitterroot Motors where supporters emphasized the company’s economic and philanthropic importance in the community. The company sells Ford vehicles but is locally owned. The meeting was one of several such conferences Ford is holding. Spokesman Paul Witt, with Virginia-based communications firm Direct Impact, said he did not know how much money Ford was spending on the campaign.

Ford, General Motors and Chrysler leaders say their industry is on the verge of collapse and taxpayers need to prop it up, though Ford has said it does not need immediate assistance. The Senate banking committee is holding hearings Thursday on a $34 billion rescue package for the industry.

At the Missoula news conference, a regional manager attended by speaker phone from Seattle. Peter Christopher said Ford dealers in Montana generated some $320 million in business by the end of September on things such as vehicles, parts and sales. In this state, the company supports some 768 people in dealerships, he said.

Bitterroot Motors employs 100 people. Owner Kathy Ogren said she has not laid off employees this year but business has slipped. Her general manager said sales are off this year over last year by some 25 percent.

Billings is the company’s top Montana dealer this year, according to Christopher, the regional manager. He said Ford chose to hold the meeting in Missoula because of Ogren’s strong relationship with the community. Bitterroot Motors donates as much as $100,000 a year to the community, but philanthropic activity will drop as business does.

“We’re just kind of holding onto our pocketbook,” Ogren said. “I didn’t buy anything this year at the Cowboy Ball. I normally would.”

Reporter Keila Szpaller can be reached at 523-5262 or at keila.szpaller@missoulian.com.
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