Edmonton, Alberta -

AutoCanada Inc. announced this week it has obtained approval from Chrysler Canada to purchase the operating assets and real estate of Eastern Chrysler Plymouth Inc., which owns and operates a Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The 66-year-old dealership, now part of the AutoCanada dealership group, retailed 660 new vehicles last year and 470 used units.

The dealership operates out of a single facility with a total building size of approximately 42,500 square feet, including a service department consisting of 18 service bays, a body shop consisting of 20 service bays and a six-car showroom, the company reported.

"Eastern Chrysler is a very well-run store located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, proudly owned and operated by the Rewucki family since the store's inception in 1946, which has a very strong customer focused business with a proud heritage," said Pat Priestner, chief executive officer of AutoCanada. 

"We would like to thank the Rewucki family for the opportunity to welcome the employees of Eastern Chrysler to the AutoCanada family, and to reconfirm our commitment to continue to operate the Dealership with a strong customer focus and to build on the very fine reputation that the owners and the dealership staff have worked diligently to achieve over the years."

The targeted closing date for the transaction is Sept. 9.

In other news to come out of AutoCanada and its relationships with its Chrysler dealerships, the company recently contributed $100,000 to Calgary Red Cross in partnership with Courtesy Chrysler,

The donation was made in support of disaster relief efforts in the community, officials said.

Priestner said, "Calgary has always been our neighbour and with the addition of Courtesy Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram to the AutoCanada family, we are now a part of the community; a community that has suffered a devastating event and who are in need of assistance. 

"We are proud to be part of the Calgary community and have been very moved by the spirit of its citizens, and we are very happy to be in a position where we, together with our Courtesy Chrysler dealership partner, are in a position to honour the can-do character of this wonderful community, and contribute to the rebuilding efforts of this great City and its wonderful, and undaunted people," he continued.