West Liberty Chamber of Commerce Business Spotlight: Wiele Chevrolet
by Sara Sedlacek · August 26, 2009

Through thick and thin, one West Liberty family has not only kept its business afloat but is thriving.

Doug Duncan and Neil Wiele opened Duncan-Wiele Chevrolet in September of 1972 in downtown West Liberty. Though Duncan only stayed on for a few years, Neil Wiele kept the auto dealership going. In January of 1978, Neil’s son Tom joined his father as a partner in the dealership. Tom had been a full-time employee at Wiele Chevrolet prior to becoming partner. Just nine years later in May of 1987, Tom’s brother Kent also became a partner in the dealership.

In November of 1993, Wiele Chevrolet expanded, opening Wiele Motor Company in downtown Columbus Junction. The location was formerly owned by Neil’s father-in-law, Harold “Spin” Duncan. This location was purchased to offer customers a larger vehicle selection by adding Buick, Pontiac and Oldsmobile to the Wiele’s inventory.

In May of 1994, the West Liberty lot moved to its current location on Highway 6. Just two years later, a new facility was built in Columbus Junction and is where Wiele Motor Co. is currently located.

As the dealerships continued to grow, the Wiele’s wanted to make sure the business stayed in the family. In 2004, Tom’s sons joined the Wiele Chevrolet team. Jeff Wiele joined the West Liberty team and Mick Wiele took over in Columbus Junction.

Earlier this summer, Wiele Chevrolet and every other General Motors dealership was on the chopping block. Due to GM’s cutbacks in its dealer network, Wiele Chevrolet and Wiele Motor Co. were two of less than 4,000 dealerships allowed to stay open and part of GM’s dealer network. Almost half of GM’s dealers were cut from the network.

Despite Wiele Chevrolet’s growth and changes, Tom Wiele said one thing has always stayed the same.

“No matter what, if you don’t have customers, your idea is not going to work,” he said.

The Wiele dealerships have more than 20 full-time employees which include sales personnel, technicians, parts specialists and administrative personnel. These employees, Tom said, are also key to the dealerships’ success.

“Our biggest asset is our employees,” he said. Tom added, “We couldn’t have done any of this without our employees and our customers. No matter how smart you are, without the people helping you, you’re nothing.”

Wiele Chevrolet has served the West Liberty area for 37 years and Tom said it will definitely serve the communtiy for the next 37 years and, hopefully, beyond.

“We appreciate the people who have stuck with us all these years,” he said.

Wiele Chevrolet and Wiele Motor Co. thrive on repeat business and, according to Tom, repeat customers form their base.

In addition to auto sales, Wiele Chevrolet also provides quality service and parts to its customers.

Wiele Chevrolet is located at 1497 Highway 6 in West Liberty. Wiele Motor Co. is located at 24487 Highway 92 in Columbus Junction.