Celebrate 50 Years With Einspahr

Oct 29, 2019

Our legacy at Einspahr is 50 years in the making. In November, we’ll be celebrating a big milestone with an open house. Stop by on Thursday, November 7 from 4 to 8 p.m. and share your favorite memories with us. We’ll have door prizes, food and refreshments, and a special proclamation at 6:30 p.m.

We sat down and had a Q & A session with the founder, Ron Einspahr, owner of our Brookings car dealership to chat about some of his memories from the last 50 years.

When did you decide to buy the Brookings Ford dealership?

Ron: I worked in Omaha for Ford Motor Company for five years. I called on dealers in this area. When the Brookings car dealership was put on the market, the previous owner asked if I’d be interested.

I went back home and talked with my father-in-law and at 28, he told me there’s only one way to find out if I could make it and that to become a dealer principal. I was the youngest Ford dealer in America at that time but I knew it was a great community and would be the key to a great business opportunity.

How do you keep employee longevity at Einspahr?

Ron: I find good people, with good morals and good attitudes. But it’s their job to be experts in car repair or selling a car and I have always trusted them to know what they are doing. We ask them for advice, and if there are improvements to be made, we have them by our side. I think that has really played into the high retention rates we have.

How has the car industry changed in 50 years?

Ron: When I started in 1969 there were 303 South Dakota new car dealers in the state of South Dakota, now there are less than 100. In the high-interest years, we lost a lot of farmers as well as South Dakota car dealers.

The internet has changed a lot of the buying experience as well. You used to drive to a car dealership and walk around viewing all of the cars for sale. It took hours! With the internet today, it speeds up the buying process and lets people find exactly what they need. We can find exactly what someone needs in a fraction of the time.

Celebrate with Einspahr

On Thursday, November 7, 2019, from 4 to 8 p.m. we’ll be hosting an open house for our 50-year celebration. We invite not only customers but past employees and the Brookings community to celebrate with our team.

Join us for door prizes, great food and refreshments, as well as a video booth so you can share your favorite Einspahr moments. At 6:30 p.m. we’ll have a special proclamation and a few other fun surprises so feel free to stick around.

Over the past 50 years, Ron mentioned that we have always worked to treat our customers right. To all of the people who have helped us in business, thank you for all of the support. The community of Brookings and the surrounding area have been wonderful neighbors, friends, and supporters and we look forward to the next 50 years serving our Brookings community.