-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Shimkat Motor Co. staff pose with a Fiat 124 spider in the showroom. Pictured from left to right: Ed Shimkat, owner; Bill Shimkat, owner; and T.J. Pingel, general manager. New Fiat vehicles are a recent addition to the Shimkat lineup.

After navigating through the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, leaders at Shimkat Motor Co. are both optimistic and excited about some new additions to its inventory.

“When the pandemic started, we were worried,” said T.J. Pingel, Shimkat general manager. “But it turned out OK.”

Pingel said the biggest impact has been the pace at which new vehicles end up in Fort Dodge and at the dealership.

“The biggest issue was inventory and once they are built, getting them to our doors,” Pingel said. “It’s hard to get them once they are built. They shut the plants down for a while and furloughed truck drivers for a while. You’re on a limited staff of drivers and some part shortages.”

He added, “Manufacturing in today’s world is a whole lot different than it was a year ago.”

Fortunately, Pingel said, Shimkat was able to retain all of its employees through the pandemic. The dealership also remained open the entire time. “We never had to close our doors or lay anyone off,” Pingel said. “After everything that has happened and seeing a lot of pain that businesses have gone through, we consider ourselves pretty lucky.”

Shimkat has between 150 and 200 new and used cars at the dealership.

To start 2021 off on the right foot, Pingel said Shimkat is now selling new Fiat vehicles such as the Fiat 124 Spider. The Spider is on display in the showroom.

“Fiat is an Italian brand that is owned by the same company as Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram,” Pingel said. “The company which was formerly known as Fiat Chrysler of America is now known as Stellantis. FCA merged with the French automaker PSA to create the world’s fourth largest automaker.”

Jeep also announced it is moving into the larger SUV market, adding the Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Waggoneer and Grand Waggoneer.

Pingel said those vehicles will be parked at Shimkat later in the year.

“Jeep is making big leaps and bounds,” Pingel said. “We are going into the larger third row SUVs now. We haven’t gone into that for about 10 years. We have the Grand Cherokee L coming out soon and should see those anytime. We have had a lot of customers asking if we would get something that size and now, yes, we will have something that can compete in that marketplace.”