Get ready to rev your green engines, the West Side is now home to a car dealer that specializes in selling energy efficient vehicles. Partners Andre Sadoff and Dan Sciolino have moved their sales operation into a former Chrysler dealership and showroom that was built in 1922 at 202 Rhode Island Street. “The original terrazzo showroom floor is still intact,” Andre (photo right) pointed out to me. “As are the original tin ceilings in the offices.” Even the exterior of the building is in great shape. “We’re planning on fixing up the building and restoring as much of the original character as possible,” Andre continued. “We removed the graffiti and have been cleaning up the interior – the building is 16,000 square feet. Next spring we will continue to work on the outside of the building, and down the road we’re going to replace the windows. We’re trying to be as green as possible with our practices… believe it or not we get our water from rain barrels and we’re heating our office with high efficiency natural gas heaters. The showroom isn’t heated, but it’s a lot warmer than outdoors dealership lots in the middle of the winter.”
As for the cars on the lot, Dan, who happens to be a former BMW Master Technician, pointed out that there were seven at the complex currently, with two under contract. “I’m a big fan of fuel efficiency,” he told me. “Why would you want to waste fuels when the technology exists to drive a green car? We specialize in hybrids, alternative energy, compressed natural gas and clean burning diesel cars. We’re also concerned about supporting other local businesses… that’s why we’ve teamed up with the Buffalo Cooperative Federal Credit Union on Elmwood Avenue – they take care of our financing while we take care of the customer service. Our vehicles all have limited warranties and we’re working on adding a repair shop. In the meantime we still take care of repairs. We even have a diesel tow vehicle.”
What we’re looking at here is a dealership with green sensibilities that also cares about the neighborhood. “Ever since we’ve been here, the neighbors have been thanking us for cleaning up the building,” said Andre. “I went to University at Buffalo for Environmental Planning and Design, and I worked at Urban Threads on Elmwood for years. Needless to say I am a big fan of Buffalo, I’m staying, and I am going to make a difference. The better that we do here, the more investments we are going to make into the business. That means that we’re going to be investing into the neighborhood as much as possible. We’re determined to help find green vehicles for people, whether the models are on our lot or not. Ultimately we would also like to feature an electric car franchise at the complex. As technology advances, so will our offerings.”
Currently there are two sales price brackets at Buffalo Motor Works: There are vehicles for sale between 5 and 10 thousand mark, and then there are vehicles for sale between 10 and 15 thousand mark. The vehicles are in great running shape and are ready for new owners to take them home. Timing couldn’t be more perfect for this type of business to establish in the city, especially after the Medical Campus recently invested in 21 electric charging stations available to the public. This is just one more logical green advancement that is part of a larger movement designed to cater to those who have a penchant for all things earth-friendly.
202 Rhode Island Street
Buffalo NY 14213
716-725-5366 (Andre)
716-208-4217 (Dan)