For the second time in just over nine months, the Salem Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership at 400 Legacy Lane changed hands. The Diehl Automotive Group of Pennsylvania is led by Corina S. Diehl, president of the autogroup who bought the dealership from Wally Armour. Now called Diehl Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Salem, the facility is pictured here from the Salem bypass. (Salem News photo by Larry Shields)

SALEM–The Diehl Automotive Group took over the Salem Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership on June 22, Corina S. Diehl, president and owner, said Monday.

It is the fifth dealership location for Diehl who has grown the group from the original Butler, Pa. facility started by her husband, Matthew, who died in 2007 at 47.

Suddenly a single-mother with two kids, Diehl decided to dig in and run the business.

It was a “really crazy” time, she said.

“Life comes at you fast and the best made plans never work out … but I figured that one out.”

Today her kids, son Matthew Straub Diehl and daughter Rachel Straub Diehl, both of Butler, Pa., are owners in her “stores with me.”

The children were there. Rachel was in college when the opportunity for a second location came along, then a third, and Matthew was “very active” all along.

Rachel joined the group two years ago.

“They’re both a big part of my success,” Diehl says. She calls herself working class.

“That’s who I am, blue collar, and my father was a carpenter.”

She knows the way to win people over is by treating them right.

“I’m grateful to become part of the community because I do care and I do care after the car is sold.”

The Salem dealership was built by John Kufleitner and sold to Wally Armour last November. Armour operated it until the Diehl Automotive Group purchased it.

Diehl said she heard about the Salem opportunity from the manufacturer and then reached out to Wally Armour.

Ninety days later the deal was completed and the Salem location joined Pennsylvania Diehl Auto Group dealerships in Grove City, Butler, Moon and Robinson.

She was attracted to Salem because of its environment.

“It’s conducive to long-range relationships,” she said. “You get to know the community … and they bring their kids … we’re far from perfect, but my mantra is live correctly, I get it.

“We acquired a great team of people there and we’re proud of them and we want to be a part of the community.”

One translation is: “I’m all about printing my name on shirts so children can play,” she said.

It’s all about selling and servicing cars, too, and plans include “hopefully building a state-of-the-art body shop. We have the land there. It’s just good all around–for stability,” she explained.

General Manager Ian Weiser said no local employees were lost of the 26 they have now.

“We’re looking to add on to our team so we can best serve customers,” he said. “We retain employees at a high rate.”

He added, “The Diehl family really looks to satisfy customers above and beyond and make sure customers get a good deal.”

The current technicians are “really a great group and we honor what we say,” Weiser said, adding the dealership will bring back heavy-duty commercial trucks, 2500s, 3500s, 4500s and 5500s to sell and service.

He noted there is a 40,000-pound lift “to work on any truck and service the large heavy duties.”

The dealership is widely known for the huge 60- by 30-foot American flag it has flown and went to great lengths to obtain a permit for.

The flag has not been flown since last year, but Weiser said there is “great news.”

Diehl Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Salem has replaced the entire metal line that broke, preventing it from being flown.

Weiser said Robert Miller, the shop foreman and one of six technicians in the service department, took up the task of repairing and re-working the metal line in-house.

Work was also performed on the flagpole.

Weiser said the old one-sixteenth inch line was frayed and broke so Miller re-worked the entire system and replaced it with a three-eighth inch stainless steel cable.

“We ordered three 60- by 30-foot flags,” Weiser said, adding, “it’s important for us to get this flag back up–it’s important to the owner.”

He said they will have a trial run and Diehl Chrysler will be working with Salem AMVETS Post 45 for the presentation of colors when they officially unfurl it.

“We bought the best flag,” Weiser said, noting the 150-pound flags last from 60 to 90 days.

Diehl Chrysler hours are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The business is closed on Sunday.

For more information on the Diehl Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Salem, visit www.diehlauto.com.