A company headed by Liberty Lake auto dealer George Gee has agreed in principle to buy the assets of Dan Barton Cadillac Isuzu Inc., of Coeur dAlene.


The long-established Coeur dAlene dealership, located at 317 W. Dalton near busy U.S. 95, will operate under the name George Gee Cadillac Isuzu once the sale is completed, which is planned early next week.


It will operate separately from George Gee Automotive, the Liberty Lake dealership owned by George Gee, his son, Ryan Gee, and Ed Tabish, and which carries the Pontiac, GMC, Buick, and Hummer makes. Still, George Gee says the two dealerships will work closely together, including referring customers to one another.


We feel this is a natural extension of our existing product line, says Ryan Gee, president of George Gee Automotive. It gives us a luxury segment that we really havent had before. We also feel the Isuzu line is excellent for our customers in North Idaho.


The new company that is buying the Coeur dAlene dealership is named WG Barton LLC, and also is based in Liberty Lake. It is owned by George Gee, Ryan Gee, and Tabish, who is the general manager at George Gee Automotive.


Dan Barton, and his wife, Norma, who owned the Coeur dAlene dealership for about 28 years, couldnt be reached for comment.


In 2003, Dan Barton Cadillac Isuzu had revenues of $19 million, says Tabish.


George Gee Cadillac will share some resources with George Gee Automotive, including use of its Coeur dAlene body shop.


Its nice to have our own body shop, George Gee says. Previously, we would send cars to various places across town.


Dan Barton Cadillac Isuzu currently employs about 35 people. Some personnel changes already are planned. Joe Young, who currently works in the sales department at George Gee Automotive, will be the Coeur dAlene dealerships general manager, and John Yarno, who played football for the University of Idaho and the Seattle Seahawks, will be the sales manager.


We intend to retain as many employees as we possibly can, says Ryan Gee. He adds that the company plans to remodel the about 27,000-square-foot Coeur dAlene dealership before long.


Its very preliminary, and we dont have specific plans, he says.


George Gee Automotive projects revenue of $48 million this year, up 10 percent from last year.