SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Crest Cadillac, Crest Acura prep for EVs, hiring technicians

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Both Crest Cadillac and Crest Acura are “moving towards a battery-electric future.”

That’s according to Jim Barr, VP/executive manager of Crest Cadillac, who says the dealerships have invested in the infrastructure to support that endeavor.

“Specifically investment in equipment such as chargers but also in terms of special tools, special training of our staff, and a commitment to that future on our part locally,” Barr tells CNYBJ during an interview at the dealership, at 717 W. Genesee St. in Syracuse, on Nov. 27.  

He acknowledges that Austin, Texas–based Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) is a primary supplier of electric vehicles in the marketplace, but many other manufacturers are boosting their participation in that business, including the Cadillac and Acura brands. 

Crest Cadillac and Crest Acura operate next to each other on West Genesee Street on Syracuse’s west side. 

In addition to electric cars, Barr says the dealerships’ service departments could also use some extra personnel. 

“There’s a high demand for our service departments and we’re always looking for good technicians … to help with the servicing of vehicles and repair work,” he says.

The dealership business is looking to hire three or four technicians for the service departments between Crest Cadillac and Crest Acura, Barr adds. 

Besides its service department, Crest also has an internet unit. 

Crest Cadillac has a franchise agreement with General Motors to sell Cadillacs and a  franchise agreement with American Honda to sell Acuras, Barr tells CNYBJ.

“That gives us the right to have the sign out front with the badge and also to buy and sell and service their vehicles,” he adds. 

He describes Cadillac as “the luxury American car brand for over 120 years. We are a very aspirational brand.” Barr describes Acura as the “luxury division of American Honda.” 

Cadillac models include Escalade, CT4, CT5, XT4, XT5, XT6, and the battery-electric vehicle called the Lyriq.

Crest Acura is a separate business with a separate staff, showroom, and service department, but “because of our proximity — the two dealerships are side by side on the same large campus — we do try to run our two businesses as one as much as we possibly can,” Barr explains.

Barr says the dealership has renovated both of the buildings in the past 10 years, and he thinks they’re “comfortable and appropriate for our upscale customer.” 

Crest has been selling Cadillacs on West Genesee Street in Syracuse since 1982. Barr’s father and business partner, Brian Barr, has been a Cadillac dealer since 1974, having also worked for a dealership in Utica. Brian Barr and a business partner purchased the dealership in 1982 that is now known as Crest Cadillac.

Barr has worked for the dealership since May 1997, he says.