To reach the top of your game would be considered a success by any measure. To sustain that level of success for ten consecutive years is nothing short of remarkable. Yet for the 10th year in a row, Tom Durant, owner of Classic Chevrolet, has been named “GM Dealer of the Year”, the highest honor a dealer can receive from General Motors. At the luncheon and ceremony on Friday June 1st, Tim Hughes, DFW Zone Manager for Chevrolet presented the “GM Dealer of the Year” trophy to Tom Durant. Addressing the crowd of hundreds of Classic Chevrolet employees, Mr. Hughes remarked, “it’s incredible what you have achieved. In ten years, Classic has sold over 110,000 new and used vehicles. In all my years in the car business, I’ve never seen a dealer who so consistently treats his employees and his customers so well. Not only have you been the #1 Volume Chevrolet dealer in the nation for 6 consecutive years, but now you have made history by being named GM Dealer of the Year for 10 consecutive years.”
In fact, Classic Chevrolet has won this esteemed award every year, since its inception. The award represents the highest honors in the industry, and recognizes only the top 2% of the nation's Chevrolet dealerships. Only 50 Chevy dealerships nationwide out of over 3000 received the award for 2011. To win “GM Dealer of the Year”, a dealer must not only be a top performer in sales and customer satisfaction, but also show uncompromising dedication to their customers. Accepting the award Tom Durant immediately gave credit to his employees. “We couldn't have done this without all of you. You are the force that makes things happen. Thank you for everything that you do.”
After purchasing a Fort Worth Chevrolet dealership in 1988, Tom Durant and his wife Susan moved the store to Grapevine, Texas in 1992, bringing the small-town way of doing business in the auto industry to the city and their business model has never changed. “Treat your customers well and give them a fair deal, and the future will take care of itself,” explained Tom. In 2006, Classic Chevrolet achieved their goal to become the number one volume Chevy dealership in the country and has never looked back. Every employee shares the responsibility for hard work and shares in the pride of every accomplishment. When asked what the vision statement is for Classic Chevrolet, Tom Durant answered simply, “Be the best at everything we do.” And as the trophies and awards continue to mount, it's apparent that's exactly what Classic has been doing all along.
Pictured from left to right: Paul Bostic District Sales Manager, Chevrolet; Tim Hughes DFW Zone Manager, Chevrolet; T. Bently Durant, Fixed Operations Manager & General Counsel, Classic Chevrolet; Hagen Durant, General Manager, Classic Chevrolet and Tom Durant, Owner, Classic Chevrolet.