HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Authorized Independent Auto Centers LLC announced the opening of two new franchises at the sites of two veteran Detroit-area auto dealers. The Galeana Auto Group location in Warren, Mich., and the Century Sales location in Taylor, Mich., are the latest additions to the growing Sears Auto Center franchise family.

The program was created by Sears Automotive in October 2009 to give dealers a chance to transform their dealerships into automotive service businesses and continue serving their communities. All Sears Auto Centers franchises are backed by the buying power, distribution network and corporate support of one of America's most iconic brands.

"Carl Galeana and Colleen McDonald exemplify the character and business structure we search for in potential franchisees," said Joe Finney, president of Sears Automotive. "These auto industry veterans have turned negative situations into opportunities for their businesses, former employees and communities. As Sears Auto Center owners, they will continue to deliver quality products and services to customers that trust them and know them by name."

Colleen McDonald, president of Century Sales, opened the doors to her new Sears Auto Center franchise last week at 13500 Telegraph Road in Taylor. The same space was home to McDonald's Century Dodge dealership for 30 years. McDonald has earned several posts and honors including being named the first female president of the Detroit Chevrolet Dealers Association and winning a Crain's "40 under 40" award.

Carl Galeana, president of Galeana Auto Group, hosted grand opening festivities on Feb. 10, just months after he was forced to shut down his Saturn dealership in the same location. Galeana has more than four decades of experience in the auto business and owns additional dealerships in Michigan, Florida and South Carolina. He is the former president of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association and was recently appointed as one of the few Fiat dealers in the United States.

The new Sears Auto Center franchise locations will provide the same products and services for automobiles, light trucks and motorcycles that are currently available at the nearly 850 company-owned Sears Auto Centers. Those products and services include:

• An extensive tire selection, including brands such as Michelin, Goodyear, BF Goodrich, Bridgestone and more

• Batteries from DieHard, America's most preferred automotive battery

• Maintenance and repair services for consumer and commercial fleets, including oil changes, alignments, shocks, brakes, coolant/antifreeze, air conditioning, transmissions, fuel system cleaning and more

• Custom wheels, car care products, truck boxes, fluids, floor mats, DieHard battery chargers, DieHard portable power, XCargo carriers and more