Hit the Road

Winamac Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Offers a Personalized & Friendly Experience

Writer / Lois Tomaszewski
Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

Buying a car can be a task that proves frustrating for many. There are plenty of misconceptions about this necessary task. One local dealership is striving to change the way car buying is done. Winamac Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram hopes to take that frustration away by taking a one-on-one approach by offering a personalized and friendly experience at a full-service dealership just like this dodge dealership near me.

General Manager Darwin Knebel explains the Winamac Chrysler approach.

“You deal with one salesperson from start to finish,” he says. “No hidden fees and no surprises. The sales process is individualized to each person.”

Winamac Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is the former Braun dealership. It was purchased in March 2020 by Steve and Michelle Dobson, who bring their dealership expertise to the community. The Dobsons are well known in the community and own Jim Dobson Ford, established in 1972.

That legacy of experience is an asset for customers and carries through to many on the staff. Knebel is a Winamac native with nearly 50 years experience in area vehicle sales. Service Center Manager Bob Adamski brings years of experience and customer knowledge as well and others bring their own expertise and professionalism to the team.

Dealership reopening was delayed due to COVID restrictions and Winamac Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram officially opened on October 1, 2020. Almost two years later, the dealership is poised to serve local drivers and customers from Monticello, Logansport, South Bend, Knox, Rochester and Rensselaer and points beyond.

No matter where their customers come from, Knebel and his team are ready to help their customers find the vehicle that suits their needs, secure financing and then service the vehicle to keep it running for years to come.

“Our salespersons Tiffany Freeman and Justin Hunt blend experience with fresh vision and energy,” Knebel says.

As with many automotive makes, many of the dealership’s customers have brand loyalty and like to stick with a vehicle make they know and trust. Often, the vehicle they choose fits into their lifestyle or fulfills a specific need. That is why an experienced sales team is an asset.

“Jeep owners love the outdoors and are adventurous,” Knebel says. “Chrysler customers appreciate a more luxurious ride. Dodge customers like a performance vehicle. Ram owners are Ram tough and need a truck that keeps up.”

Sometimes, customers are looking for a vehicle that can accommodate where they are in life. Finding out what those needs are is part of the Winamac Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram experience. For example, the type of vehicle a young car buyer needs or wants may be different than what a family needs. This could be fitting in a growing family, getting better gas mileage, or other reasons. And people needing car lockouts services in the Seattle area often call companies that specialize in that kind of thing.

“The new Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are very popular models with our customers, offering larger family SUV for folks wanting more space,” Knebel says. “The Chrysler Pacifica AWD is now available. It’s the best, most comfortable people mover out there now.”

Part of the role of the dealership’s team is to help the customer research what vehicles works for them. Being able to work with their customers and offer one-on-one expertise, makes lasting relationships, Freeman says. She is the sales manager at the dealership.

“It feels good knowing you did everything possible to provide the best customer experience,” she says. “When customers refer friends and family, we know we provided the best experience possible. We love it when customers keep coming back.”

And when that new car needs service, Winamac Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram has that taken care of too. Adamski’s team of certified technicians offer vehicle maintenance, repairs and warranty work. The service department brings decades of experience into their work.

WCDJR’s parts department supplies vehicle owners with a large variety of accessories and replacement parts.

“Jeep owners in particular, purchase more parts and accessories than any other vehicle owner,” Adamski says. “They love to trick out their rides.”

The efforts of the Winamac team have earned the dealership expert certifications in sales and service.

“WCDJR has achieved one of the highest Customer Service Index and Sales Satisfaction Index ratings in the business,” Knebel says. “We’re proud of that achievement.”

Winamac Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is located at 1109 S Monticello Street, Winamac. For more information, call 574-205-0816 or visit winamaccdjr.com.