I20 Dodge rebuilds

The i20 Dodge dealership was one of the most photographed places hit by the April 2017 tornadoes. The dealership is located on 15710 I-20 Frontage Road, a unique spot for a vehicle dealership to sell Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles and all makes and models of pre-owned vehicles. 

The grand showroom and service area of the i20 Dodge dealership was weeks away from opening when the April 29 tornadoes ripped through the dealership destroying inventory, the showroom and an eight-bay service area.

The dealership was a testament to the tornado’s destructive force, with Interstate 20 travelers being able to view the wreckage as they drove by. Twisted and mangled cars littered the ground, with some vehicles swept up into the trees as well.  The inventory was gone, steel beams and electrical wires were the only thing left from the grand showroom. It was a complete and devastating loss.

In October 2017, the dealership reopened and the new building re-opened on April 1, according to i20 Dodge General Manager Scott Fitzgerald.

“We had about $7 million dollars in damage and also had to the cost to rebuild. We had not moved into the new building before the tornado destroyed it.  We were supposed to move into the new building that next week before it was destroyed,” said Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald was also the last person to leave the dealership, two minutes before the tornado hit.

“I walked outside and the wind was blowing in the opposite direction than the clouds.  I knew it was rotation of the clouds and that a tornado was about to hit.  I sped away just getting past Hwy. 19, when someone called and told me the dealership was destroyed,” recalled Fitzgerald.

Despite the setbacks, Fitzgerald said that customer service is still the top priority, not just during the sale but also afterward.

“We have over a 99 percent feedback rating on Facebook from real customer reviews. For more information on the dealership, contact Scott Fitzgerald at scott.fitzgerald@i20Dodge.com or call 903-567-2100.