North Florida Western Star is a new Western Star dealership that is a subsidiary of Tom Nehl Truck Co., which represents Freightliner, Volvo and Sprinter. Tom Nehl recently purchased Florida Detroit Diesel-Allison’s area of responsibility in Duval, Fla., and the surrounding counties. North Florida Western Star is located at Florida Detroit Diesel-Allison’s former branch, 5040 W. University Blvd.
Western Star previously was represented in Jacksonville by Asbell Truck Center, which closed in February. Several employees from Asbell are now at North Florida Western Star, including parts manager Jimmy Plemmons, warehouse manager Robert Riley and sales team members George Brigman and Dustin Brigman.
Additionally, several employees from Florida Detroit Diesel-Allison are joining the team, bringing decades of overhaul and repair experience to the service department. The dealership will specialize in Detroit Diesel engine and Allison transmission overhauls, in addition to all makes of parts and repairs. “We are Western Star and still rolling on,” says Plemmons.
Tom Nehl has been in operation for 52 years, and currently has two locations, Jacksonville and Lake City. “We’ve taken the best aspects of two of our former competitors and created a new dealership,” says Bret Catto, general sales manager at Tom Nehl. “It has the best of all worlds – experience, financial backing and a niche in the vocational market, which has some great opportunities.”
