WEST FRANKFORT - It remained business as usual Monday and will continue to do so at Weeks Pontiac-Chevrolet on Illinois 149 near Interstate 57.

"We always knew bankruptcy was a possibility. We knew it was coming," Weeks sales manager Chuck Thompson said about the news of General Motors' Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which includes plans to shut down nine manufacturing plants, cut 34 percent of its work force and close more dealerships.

Weeks has been part of the business community since 1966 and sells a full array of GM products including trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles.

It survived an earlier GM cut this month when the automaker announced plans to close 1,100 dealerships across the country. Under the current bankruptcy protection plan, the company may shut down more dealerships, up to 2,100.

"We got no letter. They went out May 15. We're good to go," Thompson said.

The dealership has in fact become one of GM's superior dealers in that its monthly sales exceed projections based on market size, Thompson said.

"We've got one more wave to go. We're pretty confident," Thompson said about remaining open amid further word from GM about restructuring.

Smaller dealerships in rural areas have survived GM cuts in better numbers than the large dealerships in more populated regions, he said.

All warranties and rebates on Weeks' sales are guaranteed, Thompson said. Weeks has established its reputation by word-of-mouth and working competitively on trade-ins and offering the cheapest discounts it can, Thompson said.

Thompson said GM offers the best warranties in the business, gets the best gas mileage from its products compared to competitors and continually wins prestigious Motor Trend Car of the Year awards.

"(President Barack) Obama said GM is too big to fail. Overall, the bankruptcy is going to affect jobs and tax revenue in particular communities," Thompson said.

GM dealerships in Carbondale and Herrin declined to comment Monday.

scott.fitzgerald@thesouthern.com

618-351-5076