Signal Hill : Car Dealer Plans to Move
An automobile dealer who had a prominent role in persuading Long Beach officials to construct an auto mall has switched allegiances and signed an agreement this week with Signal Hill, which is also planning an auto mall.
Mike Salta is now negotiating to move his Chrysler-Plymouth, Daihatsu and Pontiac-Jeep Eagle dealerships to Signal Hill, city officials announced Tuesday. He had a similar exclusive negotiating contract with Long Beach that expired five days before.
His move took Long Beach officials by surprise. “Of course, we’re disappointed that one of our dealers is leaving Long Beach,” Assistant City Manager John Shirey said.
Both municipalities are competing to build auto malls half a mile apart and receive the millions of dollars in sales taxes the dealerships can generate. Dealers along Long Beach Boulevard have long complained about deteriorating neighborhoods that surround them and increased crime. Now, with construction of the Los Angeles-to-Long Beach light rail transit line, the dealers say they must move.
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