Given the fact that Ford Motor Company has been in business for well over a century to this point, it makes sense to see the automaker celebrating various milestones with each passing year. Those milestones pertain not only to things like vehicle production, model anniversaries, and other corporate-based marks, but also, Blue Oval dealerships as well, many of which have weathered the proverbial storm to remain in business for a very, very long time. One such Ford dealer just celebrated 100 years in business, in fact, which is a truly impressive feat.
That Ford dealer is Dearborn Ford in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada, according to Castanet, which began selling cars way back in 1924 and is still going strong today. Back then, Dearborn Ford had a rather modest staff – just the owner, Ed Gillespie, along with a salesperson, a bookkeeper, and two technicians – selling both the Model A and Model T in its early days. However, it actually opened in 1923 as a garage and gas station before becoming an official Ford dealer.
Dearborn Ford has changed locations several times over the years, but continues to grow and expand. Named after the city where Ford’s headquarters are located, it’s currently owned and operated by Cam Clark Automotive Group. Regardless, the dealership continues to support local charities and sports teams, and has managed to survive for 100 years largely thanks to its community-driven focus.
“Having Ford as our business partner has been great, because they’re always a forward thinking company,” said Dearborn Ford general manager Justin Grover. “And everybody here works hard, everyone’s dedicated to the store, to the company, and we’re family based. Our core values are integrity, growth, commitment, community and fun. We stay true to our these values while still being part of the larger organization, Cam Clark Ford, which is family based, family driven and family operated. It’s great having the support of the group whilst remaining family operated.”
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Considering in the period just before Dearborn Ford opened in 1924, Ford dealers had challenges not only from other makes, but also from Ford itself. It was not unusual for Ford to open new dealers within a short distance of a shaky Ford franchise in order to scare the existing dealer into selling more cars–which didn’t always work. And a Canadian dealer at that? Impressive. Congratulations!