AUSTINTOWN – New business lines, professional recognition and a booming parts and service division drive Cerni Motors into 2021 with optimism. “As we enter our 60th year in business, we have a bright outlook for what the future holds for Cerni Motors and our Trivista dealer partners,” says John Cerni, president of Cerni Motors.
The Austintown-based heavy and commercial truck dealership provides International brand vehicles. Last year it was awarded an Ohio franchise for New Way Garbage Packers.
The company also was recognized with seven Idealease awards and was designated a ONE Idealease dealership. “We were ranked in the top 10% and judged against more than 450 Idealease locations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico,” Cerni says.
The service and parts division remained busy during 2020 as it provided a diagnostic program that enables more efficient truck and trailer repairs trucks with greater speeds.
“Our Youngstown location consistently performs above the Diamond Standard required for percentage of repairs finished in one day or less,” Cerni notes.
Cerni Motors operates a second dealership in Painesville. Both locations earn International’s Diamond Edge certification quarterly, according to Cerni.
“We’re an all-makes parts supplier, which comes in handy when our mobile team services trucks that have broken down or need maintenance or repair on-site,” he says.
Last year the dealership renewed its contract with the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Division of Construction Management. This allows Cerni’s Youngstown and Painesville sites to offer comprehensive service for municipal and vocational dump truck chassis. The Painesville location also provides complete vehicle upfitting options for full snow removal packages, pre-wet systems, hook-lifts, cable-lifts, flatbeds and more.
Nevertheless, last year brought challenges arising from the pandemic.“We were forced to learn new ways of doing business,” Cerni says.
The state deemed Cerni Motors an essential business because it directly supports the trucking industry.
“We had to do even more to support our customers – the truck drivers and their companies – who do everything they can to keep our country’s goods moving from production to store shelves and end users’ living rooms, “ Cerni says.
While the virus scrapped plans for “Road to 60” celebrations throughout 2020 in honor of Cerni’s 60th year in business, the company focused its energy on helping local communities, Cerni says. The dealership helped distribute PPE and safety toolkits to small businesses, working with the Youngstown /Warren Regional Chamber, JobsOhio and Team NEO.