Tilleman buys North Star Dodge

Tilleman Motor Company of Havre bought North Star Dodge, Jeep and Chrysler Friday, narrowing the dealership count in town to three.

Craig Tilleman said customers can expect the same customer service they receive at Tilleman’s Chevrolet dealership, but the other changes that will be apparent to the customers include the new employees the Tillemans will bring into their new business and the change of the name. He said they will be changing it to Tilleman Motor Company to simplify the distinction.

“We’ll have a good sales team to help with the sales department,” Tilleman said. “We’re going to keep it at the current location, … but we have some changes underway.”

He said North Star has been for sale for a while, and he and his father, the owners of Tilleman Motor Company, wanted to make sure that it stayed locally owned.

“The past owners were looking for other opportunities and were wanting to get out of the car business,” Tilleman said.

He said his father, Mike Tilleman, has been in the car business since 1977 and this move is a big deal for them.

“Chrysler is going to be a great opportunity,” he said.

He said his position of management will change as he tries to lead both sales teams, which he said will still compete against each other fairly separately, just under the same banner now.

“Over the years, Tilleman Motors has tried to support the community, and I think the community has supported us back,” Tilleman said.