Spokanes two GMC vehicle dealers essentially have added each others additional General Motors makes, as part of a national strategy.


Last week, Becker Buick-GMC Inc. began carrying Pontiacs at its main location at 636 E. Sprague, and at its North Side lot, at 6623 N. Division.


Meantime, George Gee Pontiac/GMC is now selling Buicks at its dealership, at 21502 E. Mission, in Liberty Lake.


Owners at both dealerships say their operations will benefit from the change.


Dale Cornwell, co-owner of Becker Buick, says the Pontiac line will enable Becker to appeal to a broader demographic customer base, since its Buick line includes sedans and sport-utility vehicles all priced above $20,000, while Pontiac has lower-priced models.


George Gee, owner of the Liberty Lake dealership, says that with the addition of Buick, From a convenience standpoint, this will be a lot better for our customers.


To be able to carry more cars, Becker Buick will need to expand its sales lot, and has asked the city of Spokane to vacate First Avenue between Sheridan and Hatch streets, behind the main dealership building and service shop, as well as Sheridan between Sprague and First, says Cornwell.


If the request is granted, the dealership would convert those streets into lot space, which Cornwell estimates would accommodate about 75 more cars.


A hearing date for the proposal hasnt been set yet.


The George Gee operation developed its current facility in Liberty Lake and moved there from Spokane Valley in late 2000. Gee says the complex was designed to accommodate a third GM line, so the dealership has room for Buick.


Cornwell says the addition of the new-car lines at both dealerships has been in the works for some time.


This is the alignment they (GM) have wanted for several years, he says. They want Buick, Pontiac, and GMC sold from the same store in this size of a market. Theyve been pushing it across the nation for the last five years or so.