ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Volvo's fast-growing rental franchise network opened in Chattanooga, Tenn., president and CEO of Volvo rental businesses Michael Farley told RER. Partners Jim Ballard, who owned Ballard Equipment Rental & Sales before selling it to Stowers, the local Caterpillar dealership a few years ago, and Greg Moore, who worked with Ballard for both companies, signed an agreement with Volvo Rents March 15.
The partners have been doing business as Homeowner Rentals in the Chattanooga suburb of East Brainerd, Tenn., before signing the agreement to become a Volvo franchise. They are in the process of converting their current store, and expect to open a satellite franchise in downtown Chattanooga within six weeks.
Volvo officials said at the Conexpo show that they hope to open as many as 100 Volvo Rents franchises in North America this year. The two Chattanooga locations will give Volvo Rents eight branches, having recently opened in Georgia, Louisiana and Florida.
