Two More Victims

Two long-time auto dealerships in Kentucky closed down, apparent victims of a national sales decline.

Employees were let go at Johnny Watkins Buick Pontiac and GMC as well as Johnny Watkins Chrysler in the city of London.

Watkins declines to discuss the closing. “I'm not interested in talking, thanks,” he tells the Kentucky Herald-Leader.

Kentucky Auto Dealers Assn. President Ron Jackson says the struggling economy has been a blow to many dealers.

Still, he was surprised at Watkins' closings.

“Johnny Watkins has been around a long time,” Jackson tells the newspaper. “That's not somebody that came into the market three years ago and didn't make a go of it.”