When GM eliminated its Saturn brand last year, Saturn of Ann Arbor owner Mack Johnson found himself stuck with a dealership and no cars. Not a problem–he bought himself another dealership. As of July 1, Jim Bradley Pontiac Buick GMC, long located on the corner of Jackson and Wagner, became Mack Buick GMC. (While GM was cleaning house, it got rid of the Pontiac brand, too.)

Johnson merged the staffs of the two dealerships and transferred operations from the old Jim Bradley location to his former Saturn dealership on Auto Mall Drive, just a little ways up Jackson.

Buying the Bradley dealership brings Johnson, who’s in his mid-forties, full circle. In 1979 he got his start working for Jim Bradley as a porter, washing and detailing cars. He rose through the ranks, eventually becoming Bradley’s Pontiac sales manager. Bradley opened Saturn of Ann Arbor in 1993 and sent Johnson over there as general sales manager in 1999.

Bradley died in 2003, and Johnson bought the Saturn dealership in 2004. Former Bradley general manager Jim Allen bought the Bradley dealership with Detroit car dealer (and former Bradley employee) William Perkins. Allen died in 2006. Perkins, who had his hands full with three other dealerships in the Detroit area, sold the Bradley dealership to Johnson this summer.

By the way, if you own a Saturn, Mack Buick GMC still services them.

Mack Buick GMC, 500 Auto Mall Dr. 769-3991. Mon. & Thurs. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Tues., Wed., & Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Sun. mackbuickgmc.com

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