Dealer news: Huffines celebrates 100th anniversary; Fairway Ford adds GM store
Huffines Auto Dealerships is taking to the streets to celebrate its 100th anniversary.
The dealership group, which operates 10 locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, was founded May 5, 1924, when J.L. Huffines Sr. first opened Huffines Motor Company in Denton, Texas, selling Willys-Knight and Overland automobiles.
In honor of that event, the family-owned and operated business is venturing out to ask area residents to sing its “Huffines Has It!” jingle, which was introduced more than 30 years ago. Every time the jingle is sung, Huffines will donate $100 to the singer’s local charity of choice, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas, Genesis Women’s Shelter, North Texas Food Bank, Salvation Army, Scottish Rite for Children and SPCA of North Texas.
“For the past 100 years, my family and I have been able to serve North Texas and become a household name to many,” company president and CEO Ray Huffines said in a news release. “Our longevity in this competitive industry reflects the trust and loyalty our customers and the community have placed in us, and we want to thank them for their ongoing support.
“Our family legacy started when cars were a new thing, and today we’re selling high-tech EVs, hybrids and gasoline-powered vehicles with features no one would have dreamed of 100 years ago. We can’t wait to see what the next hundred years will bring to this industry, our dealerships and the communities we serve.”
The Texas Historical Commission recognized Huffines’ milestone by presenting the company with the Texas Treasure Business Award, which was established by the Texas Senate in 2005, to honor businesses for their historic contributions to communities across the state.
Leadership of the business has been passed down from J.L. Huffines Sr., who accepted livestock and farm implements in trade for vehicles during the Great Depression, to his son J.L. Jr., who became a dealership owner at age 27 in 1950 after serving in the Army during World War II and expanded the business, to his son Ray, the current CEO.
A fourth-generation Huffines, Sam, now serves as general manager. The company, which employs more than 900 people, has won multiple J.D. Power Dealer of Excellence Awards and has been named Dallas’ Best Automobile Group Dealer by Consumers Choice.
Fairway Ford owner acquires GMC dealership
Bob Davis owner of Fairway Ford in Canfield, Ohio, has purchased Power GM, a Chevrolet GMC dealership in nearby Calcutta, Ohio, according to Performance Brokerage Services, which advised on the deal.
Power GM has been renamed Fairway Chevrolet GMC.