Article Photos

Fact Box

Wheeling Volkswagen-Subaru was incorporated in 1987. Dave Weaver purchased the former Bill Cruse Volkswagen in the spring of 1988 from Bill Cruse, who started the dealership in the late 1950s.

WHEELING - Dave Weaver is confident his car dealership will prosper at a time when many economic barometers are pointed downward.

The president of Wheeling Automotive Group is selling 40 cars per month from his Subaru, Volkswagen and used car store on U.S. 40 in the Elm Grove section of Wheeling.

With a $1 million-plus payroll providing a living for 23 employees and another $3 million in inventory, Weaver said his business is a manageable size.

"Being a smaller dealer we can run things so tightly they squeak," he said. "Rather than laying off employees when the economy slumps, we diminish inventory and cut back on ... marketing. Our employees also are accustomed to multi-tasking."

Weaver said his employees are a key factor in his positive outlook.

"The staff and management are a superb group of experienced, dedicated and professional individuals," he said. "Many have been with us for more than 10 years. Each day they exemplify the best in our industry and continue to help grow the business."

Weaver said the economy is not as depressed in the Ohio County area as it may be in larger markets.

"So many people have the idea that the banks are not lending money. They are- and people can still buy cars at very low rates. Local banks and our national lenders Subaru Motors Finance and VW Credit are lending to people for new and used cars for purchases as well as leasing. And this is all good news for us and the local economy."

Another positive indicator, according to Weaver, is Subaru Corp.'s position in the auto industry.

"There has been a lot of news coverage about the major auto manufacturers dropping in sales by as much as 40 percent, but Subaru actually showed a sales increase for the year," he said.

He said Subaru had an end-of-year national market share of 1.43 percent, the highest in its 26-year history. The franchise set sales records in three of its car lines including the Forester, Impreza and Legacy. It also helped that the Forester model won the Motor Trend magazine SUV of the Year award, he said.

Weaver said Subaru found a niche in the auto industry by providing mid-$20,000, all-wheel-drive, fuel efficient vehicles to replace the more expensive and less economical SUV lines built by other manufacturers.

Volkswagen has a completely new model lineup that is bringing more customers to the store than ever. These new models include a seven- passenger European style minivan called the Routan and the Tiguan SUV. VW also produces one of the only diesel car lines in the country with fuel mileage up to 49 mpg in a car that starts at under $23,000.

Wheeling Volkswagen-Subaru was incorporated in 1987. Weaver purchased the former Bill Cruse Volkswagen in the spring of 1988 from Bill Cruse, who started the dealership in the late 1950s.

In 2005, Weaver bought property adjacent to the dealership. The purchase more than doubled his lot space at the facility, giving the ability to carry a larger selection of new and pre-owned cars.

"There is no doubt that the market is tough, but I remain optimistic about things to come."

He said with just over $11.5 million in sales last year, we look forward to a great future.

In addition to being a business man, Weaver is active in the community.

He serves on many local boards and is former president of the police civil service commission. He is currently on the Oglebay Institute Board of Directors, vice-president of the Wheeling County Day School Board of directors and serves as chairman of the Oglebay Ski hill fund raising committee, where he has been active in revitalizing skiing operations at Oglebay Resort and Conference Center.

He also is on the steering committee for a National Auto Dealership Association 20 Group.