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| This place was deleted, it will be removed from all search engines in few weeks. North Brothers Ford Value Lot 734-524-1282 Ask For MARCUS SHADEHThe original North Brothers, Raymond and Ernest opened a Mobil service station together on Fort Street in Lincoln Park, Michigan in 1928. They were awarded a Desoto/Plymouth franchise in June of 1936 - the same year that Gulf Oil replaced Mobil - and they began selling new cars and trucks. Their success in selling new vehicles resulted in Ford Motor Company offering them a very desirable and exclusive new car franchise in 1941. In the early years, they sold Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles as well as being Lincoln/Mercury distributors for southeast Michigan.
During the war years, the North's converted their auto dealership into a precision machine shop and manufactured airplane parts for the war effort. Following the war, they launched several more expansion projects. Newcomers to Lincoln Park had no trouble locating North Brothers, especially at night. Atop the main building was a huge neon sign that was one of the city's early landmarks. They became a Ford dealer exclusively in 1945. In may of 1949, they acquired a second Ford franchise and opened up a dealership called Ray North Ford on Woodward avenue in Ferndale, Michigan. The two dealerships operated simultaneously for nine years. Raymond's son, James E. North, joined the business in October of 1954. He began his career by working in every department and was promoted to President in 1968. Prior to joining the company, he served in the army for two years during the Korean Conflict immediately after completing his business degree at MSU. In April of 1958, the company purchased Ralph Ellsworth Ford on Ford Road in Garden City, Michigan and renamed it North Brothers G.C. All three dealerships operated for several months until August of 1958 when the Ray North Ford location was sold. Additionally, the company acquired an Edsel franchise from Ford Motor Company in July of 1957, which was located in Lincoln Park and operated until December of 1958. The Lincoln Park dealership was sold in September of 1964, after Ernest North retired, leaving only the Garden City location. Raymond North retired in 1968 when James E. North purchased the business. The dealership thrived and became one of the highest-volume Ford dealerships in Metropolitan Detroit. During this time, it even boasted the largest service department in the state! Eventually the dealership outgrew its building and property. Construction began in 1968 on what is now the current location on Ford Road in Westland, Michigan, (just one mile west of its Garden City location). The company moved into the new building in April of 1969. In march of 1987, James E. North's son J. Douglas joined the company as the business manager. In the four years prior to joining North Brothers, Douglas worked for two other dealerships in sales and business management. He is a graduate of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City and is currently the company's President and General Manager. In August of 1990, James E. North's other son Thomas joined the company as the business manager. In the eight years prior to joining North Brothers, Thomas established a successful career in the ski industry in Utah and Colorado. He, too, is a graduate of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City and is currently the company's Vice President and General Sales Manager. The day-to-day operations are managed by J. Douglas and Thomas North, with James E. North holding the position of Chairman. In June of 1998, the company began a significant remodeling of the entire facility. Completed in March of 1999, the new facility clearly distinguishes itself in the industry as a true original. Anchored by the new vehicle showroom rotunda, its appearance is striking from any angle. With its increased size and new design, the current facility should last well into the new millennium and beyond! The North family and North Brothers Ford continue to maintain very strong ties to the local community and are very active in local charities and various civic groups. img142.imageshack.us/img142/9771/flyercreditdonejh8.gif  place comments:
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