Checking In With...Garth Blumenthal:

The media feature a truckload of grim reports about the car industry these days. That got me to thinking about cars, so this week we check in with Garth Blumenthal, general manager of Newport Beach’s Fletcher Jones Motorcars, a Mercedes-Benz dealership.

There’s so much bad news about the car industry these days with Chrysler being sold to Fiat and GM going through bankruptcy. How’s Fletcher Jones weathering the economic storm?

We are doing well. We started making adjustments to our business model 18 months ago. We have reduced our expense structure while continuing to focus on providing a world-class guest experience.

It appears a lot of dealers will lose their businesses after the Chrysler and GM deals go through. What’s your take on the situation? What advice would you give the president if he asked?

The new reality is very sad for dealers who are losing their investment while getting “stuck” with mortgages. The impact to the local, affected economies will be devastating. I would advise the president not to disrupt free-market enterprise and caution him against taking the incentive away from business owners who create jobs by increasing taxes.

Enough bad news. Tell us what’s cool this season in terms of cars — Mercedes or otherwise.

We just started receiving the completely redesigned 2010 E-Class sedan & coupe. The new models are absolutely stunning with a super-cool new look!

Aside from Mercedes, what’s your favorite car — from any era?

I have always acknowledged Ferrari as a marquee, and I particularly like the 2003 Enzo.

How did you get into the business, and what do you like the most about it?

I got into the Mercedes business by chance. I had just graduated from university and one of my father’s friends asked whether I would like to sell cars. I told my father that I wasn’t really interested, but he was persistent. I hated the first month and then never looked back.

The best part of the business is interacting with the clients and having the opportunity to build an innovative, visionary organization.

OK, now for my standard irreverent question: What’s your favorite song about Mercedes-Benz?

Janis Joplin’s “Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes-Benz.”