FleetSide Ford finds a home in Osceola

FleetSide Ford has been open for more than a year and has truly found a home for itself in the Osceola community.

When the previous Ford dealership closed the Ford Motor Company wanted another one in its place. They saw Osceola as a great location. Coming to Osceola just, “felt right,” said Terry Wojtowicz, Owner of FleetSide Ford.

“Talking with members of the community and Ford Motor Company they wanted the dealership to stay and begin a new future. A great location being right off of the major highway. Less than 35 minutes from Des Moines,” said Wojtowicz.

The dealership has, in the past year and a half, involved itself in various community activities and sponsored many organizations and events.

“Locally, we are members of the Osceola Chamber Mainstreet and Clarke County Development Corporation. We support the Clarke County Fair, Osceola shop with a cop program, Clarke Indians Baseball, Clarke Schools, Clarke Athletic Booster Club and the Osceola Fire Department just to name a few. We participate in the 4th of July parade, Trunk or Treat and Meet your Merchants. We sponsor a hole-in-one at the Clarke County Hospital’s annual golf tournament,” said Wojtowicz.

Being involved in the community as a business is imperative for building trust and lasting relationships with the citizens of Osceola. Trust brings more business. More business done locally only helps the local economy to flourish.

“We have heard from numerous members in the community that they appreciate our logo of Relationship – Respect – Trust. They are glad that we are building relationships to earn respect for one another. This will lead to a dealership that customers can trust for all of their automotive needs. One example is our relationship with the Osceola Fire Department. We are currently donating time and resources to the restoration of their original 1928 American Lafrance fire truck. We have assisted the Department with the conversion of ‘Digger’ to the Clarke County Emergency Management,” said Wojtowicz.

For Wojtowicz, running a business in Osceola has been an interesting learning experience. Taking over a previous dealership and recreating it to still be a Ford dealership but with a new feel and under new management has been a lot of work.

“It’s been a challenge but we have received numerous positive comments and support from the community. Take a look at our Google reviews. At the end of the day it’s been rewarding. Customers have told us that they appreciate our service and parts department team. They like the friendly and knowledgeable staff and that we have Ford trained and certified technicians. We continually have them attend training sessions to keep current on ever changing vehicle technology” said Wojtowicz.

Now that community members are used to seeing FleetSide Ford as they drive west on Highway 34, it’s important to remember what this local business has to offer.

“We strive to make personal connections with each of our customers whether it is service or sales. We are not a ‘high pressure’ dealership. We give them the facts about the new or used vehicle they are looking for and let them decide if it is the right choice. If we don’t have the make or model, we access a variety of vehicle networks to find it for them. We try to find something in their price range. Our commitment to the customer does not end with the sale of a vehicle, it is just the beginning. We introduce them to our Ford trained and certified technicians. We advise them that we service all makes and models of vehicles. They are told to always call if they have any vehicle related question,” said Wojtowicz. “Another specialty of FleetSide Ford is our commercial, government and fleet business. We service and sell larger trucks. We have sold vehicle to the US Government (GSA), State of Iowa, Clarke County, City of Osceola, and several commercial businesses in southern Iowa. We offer local vehicle rental too. A lot of our rental customers come from Amtrak passengers and people having their vehicle repaired at local body shops.”