Española's Ed Corley Ford Mercury dealership has closed, a member of the Corley family said Wednesday.

The dealership — which was the city's only Ford dealer — had about 15 employees and had been operating under the Corley name for the past two years, after the Corley family acquired Rio Valley Ford and renamed it, said Stacey Corley, a spokesman for the company.

"Due to current economic conditions, the Corley Auto Group has had to look at reducing the number of dealerships in New Mexico," said a statement from Ed Corley Sr. "These are tough but necessary decisions for myself and my family. We will continue to assess the profitability of our dealerships as the economic climate changes."

The closure of the Corley dealership comes at a time when General Motors and Chrysler Corp. are shutting down dealerships around the U.S., although apparently none are closing in Santa Fe.

Ford Motor Co. is in better condition than other U.S. carmakers, industry analysts have said.

The Corley Auto Group, which is based in Grants, was started by Ed Corley Sr. 26 years ago and "will maintain a strong presence with our Ford Lincoln Mercury dealerships in Grants as well as a Lincoln Mercury dealership in Albuquerque," the statement said.

The Corley Auto Group has a total of eight dealerships around the state.

Don Chalmers, owner of Chalmers Capitol Ford Lincoln Mercury in Santa Fe, said he hadn't heard about the Corley closing, but he said it "has been a struggle for a Ford dealership in Española, for whatever reason."

Chalmers said his Santa Fe dealership "may pick up a little bit" as a result of the closing.

"We would certainly welcome anyone (from Española) who is looking for vehicles or for service," he said.