Business as usual for Hoak Motors, Inc.

How long it will last, another seven?

“My brother and I sure hope so,” said Eric Hoak, president, of he and his sibling, Chris, who serves as vice president.

For years, they both may look back on 2010 as a turning point of sort for consumers, and for their industry.

GM officials in 2010, you may remember, announced that some 1,500 dealers nationwide would be phased out. Hoak Motors was included.

“We filed for arbitration, but never had to go through it,” Eric Hoak said. “GM basically went through and looked at everyone who had filed, something like 1,500. They gave almost 800 dealers their franchises back.”

In effect, he said, GM was telling people like Hoak, “Come back and let’s start over.” GM also came to the conclusion that it was in the business of selling cars, not fighting litigation.

“It’s business as usual now,” said Hoak. “This year is even a rebuilding year as my inventory is a bit less than I’m accustomed to.”

While recent gas price hikes have consumers looking more closely at every purchase, Hoak said his dealership enjoyed the best February sales month in the past 15 years.

“I think people had been holding off on what to do with their cars the past couple of years,” Hoak said.

Fuel economy rates high on the list of concerns. the recession may have started in 2008 as gas prices soared.

“Gas is high now again, but the economy seems to be in a better position,” he said. “And for the most part, people are understanding what they need to have.”

Analysts, he added, continue to predict a strong 2011 for auto sales. Hoak noted that if the months following February keep pace, his staff will enjoy a solid rebound.

“With all of the turmoil we’ve had the past couple of years, it would be nice to have a good year,” he said.

Nissan is the name that kept Hoak’s enterprise going strong in the two years GM wobbled. Nissan, the full-line brand at Hoak, features everything from a $10,000 new car to an $80,000 super-sports car. GMC amounts to Hoak’s truck line, while Cadillac, he contended, is “the only true luxury brand in Sioux City.”

“Selling a car is one thing,” said Hoak, the third generation in his family at the business. His grandfather, Richard “Dick” Hoak started Hoak Motors in 1945. His father, Rick Hoak, kept it going for Eric and Chris.

“But what I really enjoy is helping someone pick the car that’s right for their needs,” he said.

Of course, he’s got a stake in seeing that it’s done – and done for years to come. Eric Hoak has an 8-year-old son, Owen, who might someday stand in his place.

“He says he wants to be a car salesman just like his dad,” Eric Hoak said.