AUTOMOTIVE
On Saturday, March 16, 2024, Wilson Automotive celebrated a huge milestone: selling its 1.5 millionth automobile.
It’s been an interesting journey for a farm-boy from Iowa who graduated with a degree in Philosophy and once considered being a minister. He started out in the car business working nights and weekends changing oil, lube and filters at a local car dealership. He became a car salesman after forgetting to replace the plug in the oil pan of a telephone company van, ruining its engine. His laborer’s wages couldn’t cover the damages; so he switched to sales to make up the difference – also making a life-altering career decision.
Wilson’s first dealership was Toyota of Orange, which he purchased in 1985. Today the organization is comprised of 16 dealerships throughout Southern California, Arizona, Nevada and Mexico. The company employs more than 2,100 associates and generates over $3 billion in revenue annually. The 1.5 million vehicles represented by this milestone have been sold by all the Wilson dealerships and represent six manufacturers: Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Acura, Ford, and Mazda. Wilson Automotive is currently ranked as the 11th largest dealer group and 4th largest privately held dealer group in the nation.
