Wilhelm dealership makes investment to keep Buick; other EVs available
Mar. 29—Editor's note: This story is advertorial content as part of the 2023 Jamestown Sun Progress Edition on "Business, Workforce, Retention."
JAMESTOWN — Wilhelm Chevrolet Buick GMC has made an investment to keep the Buick franchise at the auto dealership in Jamestown, according to Rod Wilhelm, co-owner of Wilhelm Chevrolet Buick GMC.
"We decided to keep the Buick because we've already invested in GMC and Chevrolet," Wilhelm said. "We like the Buick franchise. There's some good products and we are going to stay with it."
He said many Buick franchise dealers took a buyout from General Motors for several reasons including the investment and Buick will also all be electric by 2030.
Tim Schulz, new car manager, said General Motors has six electric vehicles coming out from between now and 2024. Electric vehicles coming out include the GMC Hummer EV pickup and SUV and the Chevrolet Blazer EV this spring, the Chevrolet Equinox EV and the Chevrolet Silverado EV this fall and the Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 in spring 2024.
In addition, the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray is available to order as well. The Corvette E-Ray will have an electric all-wheel-drive system that works with its engine, standard all-season tires and magnetic selective ride control, according to Chevrolet's website.
He said the Corvette E-Ray is a gas-based vehicle, but it comes with a 1.9-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery that powers the front wheels. The battery is self-charging.
Schulz said customers can make reservations to get the electric vehicles. He said customers can go to chevrolet.com or gmc.com and get on the waiting list for an electric vehicle by making a $100 deposit. Customers can pick their auto dealership, and Wilhelm Chevrolet Buick GMC will receive a notification of the reserved electric vehicle.
"As of right now, most of these are already presold and sold out," he said. "There is a waiting list for the customers. The reservation tells you what year the reservation is."
He said the Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV (electric utility vehicle) are available right now.
Schulz said Wilhelm Chevrolet Buick GMC is planning to install a dual-charging station this year.
As a GM dealership, Wilhelm Chevrolet Buick GMC can certify any 2018 or newer preowned vehicle, Schulz said.
A 12-month or 12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty is fully transferable with no deductible in addition to any remaining original factory bumper-to-bumper warranty, the dealership's website says. Certified pre-owned vehicles also can get a powertrain limited warranty for up to six years or 100,000 miles from the vehicle's original in-service date, and no deductible for warrantable repairs that are required as a result of defects due to material and/or workmanship to the powertrain components.
The Super Cruise driver assistance technology is available for the Bolt EUV, 2024 Blazer EV, 2024 Equinox EV and 2024 Silverado EV along with other current models. Super Cruise is a hands-free driver assistance technology for compatible roads, according to Chevrolet's website.
Schulz said the technology has safety features to slowly pull the vehicle over to the roadside if someone is having a medical issue or texting.
The dealership holds the annual Don Wilhelm Car Show & 5K Run/Walk for Huntington's Disease. This year's 12th annual event will be held on Sept. 23. The event is held in memory of Dan Wilhelm, the brother of Rod and Jeff Wilhelm and Lisa Wilhelm-Lindberg, who died of Huntington's disease.
Rod Wilhelm said the event has raised more than $200,000 for Huntington's Disease Society of America's Northern Plains Chapter.
"It's been growing and hopefully it's helped," he said.
Steve "Skovy" Jaskoviak, business manager, said the car show expects anywhere from 100 to 200 vehicles. This year the car show is a North Dakota Street Rod Association pick site, and participants will come from North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and even Canada, he said.
"This year is going to be one of the bigger shows here around with that NDSRA pick site," he said. "There are only six pick sites a year and we are one of them."
Car show entrants also receive plaques and have an opportunity to win trophies and cash for certain categories.
Wilhelm said 1,500 raffle tickets will be sold at $20 each with the grand prize being a 2007 Saturn Sky Red Line. Second place will receive an orange Schwinn Krate bicycle, and the third-, fourth- and fifth-place prizes will receive $500, $300 and $250, respectively.
Proceeds from the raffle support the Huntington's Disease Society of America. Wilhelm also said the business donates to Stutsman County 4-H because members help sell raffle tickets.
A color run was added to the 5K Run/Walk for Huntington's Disease, which helped increase participation, said Stephanie Johnson, marketing and advertising coordinator who also serves on the board for Huntington's Disease Society of America's Northern Plains Chapter.
The event also includes a live auction and burgers and brats for a freewill donation that goes to Huntington's Disease Society of America's Northern Plains Chapter.
The dealership is a sponsor of area golf tournaments, Jimmie Booster Club, Spiritwood Lake Jam, Miss Rodeo of North Dakota and the Heartland Scholarship Program. The business is a supporter of Giving Hearts Day, Toys for Tots, local schools, car-seat checks and other various local events and clubs and does the Fill the Silverado Campaign for James River Humane Society. A GMC Hummer EV all-wheel-drive bike will be donated for the University of Jamestown Dine and Bid auction.
It also has an annual blowout for new and used vehicles.
The business offers benefits and perks to employees such as health and dental insurance, health savings account, life insurance, vacation, retirement, uniforms and training, employee discounts, encouragement and support for community involvement and advancement opportunities.
Wilhelm said the dealership has been in business for over 60 years and has an open door to interview potential employees.
He said scholarships are available through the North Dakota Auto Dealers Association. He also said the business allows students to job shadow where they can spend time with a service technician or others.
For more information about Wilhelm Chevrolet Buick GMC, visit
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