On Sept. 14, 1976, a young auto dealer opened the doors to his first Chevrolet dealership in the small town of Bennettsville, South Carolina. That man was Rick Hendrick, and with that, the Hendrick Automotive Group story had officially begun.
Fifty years later, that single dealership has grown into one of the largest and most recognized automotive retail organizations in the country. But our story has never been defined by size alone. For half a century, it’s been built on trust, strengthened by relationships, and guided by an unwavering commitment to doing things the right way.
As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hendrick Automotive Group, this milestone offers the chance to reflect on the people, moments, and values that shaped our journey while looking ahead to the future we will continue building together.
A Beginning Built on Values
The early years of Hendrick Automotive Group quickly proved that this story would entail more than opportunity alone. When Mr. Hendrick purchased the dealership in Bennettsville, he was just 26 years old, making him the youngest Chevrolet dealer in the country. He and his wife, Linda, sold their assets, left behind a comfortable life in Raleigh, and moved two hours south to begin a new chapter together. Success was far from guaranteed, but through hard work and a relentless focus on serving the customer, the once-troubled dealership quickly became the region’s most profitable.
Original news coverage of Rick Hendrick Chevrolet in Bennettsville, SC.
That early success paved the way for the next defining moment in company history – the acquisition of City Chevrolet in Charlotte in 1977. The lessons learned in Bennettsville carried across state lines into a much larger market, and once again, Mr. Hendrick’s leadership sparked a dramatic sales increase that established City Chevrolet as the No. 1 volume Chevy dealership in the Carolinas.
Those early wins were not the result of business instinct alone. They were rooted in values Mr. Hendrick carried with him long before the first dealership. Growing up on his family’s tobacco farm near Palmer Springs, Virginia, he quickly learned from his parents, Papa Joe and Mary, the value of a strong work ethic, accountability, and genuine care for others. Those same values emerged in Bennettsville, grew stronger in Charlotte, and ultimately became the foundation for the five decades of growth that followed.
Mr. Hendrick and Papa Joe outside of City Chevrolet, next to a 1931 Chevy Sport Coupe they restored together decades earlier.
Growth Powered by Partnership
Once the foundation was set, the industry began to take notice, opening the door to new opportunities with leading manufacturers that would help Hendrick Automotive Group grow beyond its regional footprint and expand its customer offerings.
The organization welcomed its second manufacturer partner in 1979 when Mr. Hendrick opened South Carolina’s first freestanding Honda location. The dealership thrived, becoming a showcase facility for Honda and marking an important step beyond Hendrick's Chevrolet roots. One year later, the opening of Hendrick BMW introduced Hendrick Automotive Group to the luxury vehicle market, and it remains one of the organization’s cornerstone locations today. These early partnerships gave customers greater access to a wider range of vehicles that fit a variety of needs, lifestyles, and expectations, a trend that would accelerate in the years ahead.
Hendrick BMW, Charlotte, NC, acquired in 1980.
The mutual trust between Hendrick and its manufacturer partners reached new heights in 1985 when Mr. Hendrick became the first dealer authorized to own and operate multiple General Motors franchises. A departure from GM’s traditional individual-store ownership model, the milestone reflected the growing confidence manufacturers placed in the company’s capabilities and Mr. Hendrick’s leadership. A year prior, that relationship extended beyond the showroom and onto the racetrack with the founding of Hendrick Motorsports. Since 1984, the team has raced Chevrolet exclusively, combining the same drive and determination from the retail business to become the winningest team in NASCAR history.
Over time, Hendrick Automotive Group has continued to expand with new and existing manufacturers, opening new dealerships in new markets across the country. Today, the organization represents 31 different domestic, import, luxury, and performance brands. From Acura to Volvo, partners continue to recognize Hendrick dealerships for exemplary leadership, customer satisfaction, and operational performance. Since 2000, Hendrick dealerships have earned 597 Manufacturer Recognition Awards, each representing some of the highest honors an individual dealership can receive from its respective manufacturer.
Leadership from Hendrick Automotive Group and Chevrolet celebrate City Chevrolet's multiple manufacturer recognitions in 2023.
Innovating to Serve
For 50 years, Hendrick Automotive Group has grown by listening to customers and adapting to meet their needs. As the automotive industry evolved, we responded by expanding the tools, services, and support available before, during, and after the sale.
By the mid-1990s, Hendrick Automotive Group had spent nearly 20 years serving customers across a growing dealership network. That experience shaped the development of Hendrick Autoguard, introduced in 1994 as the organization’s own in-house extended service and vehicle protection program. Born from customer feedback that reinforced the desire for dependable, personalized vehicle protection options, the program is rooted in the foundational principle of taking care of the customer.
That commitment took another step forward in 1996 when Hendrick Automotive Group entered the collision repair business with the opening of its first two collision centers. Beyond vehicle sales and service, customers could now rely on the organization for support and peace of mind following an accident, transforming Hendrick Automotive Group into a full-circle automotive service provider. Today, more than 20 Hendrick collision centers across nine states provide customers with trusted support when they need it most.
Hendrick Collision Northlake, the company's largest collision center, opened in May 2026.
As the online era accelerated throughout the 2000s, Hendrick Automotive Group recognized a shift in how customers wanted to research, shop, and connect with automotive retailers. The response? The launch of HendrickCars.com in 2007. What began as an online inventory hub has since evolved into the digital home for everything Hendrick Automotive Group, giving customers access to leading tools, resources, and support anytime, anywhere.
These moments represent only a few examples of how Hendrick Automotive Group has evolved to better serve its customers. That work continues every day as teammates across the organization remain focused on finding new ways to improve the customer experience.
Caring for Communities
Since day one, Hendrick Automotive Group has believed its responsibility to others extends well beyond the sale of a vehicle. As the organization entered new markets, dealerships became part of local communities, and teammates saw opportunities to make a difference.
That servant spirit is the foundation of Hendrick Cares, the organization’s corporate social responsibility program that puts a legacy of caring for others into action. More than community initiatives or partnerships, Hendrick Cares is about teammates responding to the needs of others, from individuals quietly lending a helping hand to larger company endeavors, such as our annual hunger relief efforts. What began in 2001 as a local Thanksgiving food drive has grown into a unified mission to feed our neighbors in need. Over the past 25 years, teammates have rallied together to donate more than 5 million pounds of food and provide over $10 million in financial support to local food banks across the country.
Central to the Hendrick Cares mission is the Hendrick Family Foundation. Established by Mr. and Mrs. Hendrick, the nonprofit foundation consolidated the philanthropic efforts of the Hendrick organization and absorbed its predecessor, the Hendrick Marrow Program, which raised more than $15 million since 1997 to help connect patients fighting life-threatening blood cancers and diseases with bone marrow and blood stem cell donors. Today, the Hendrick Family Foundation continues to support and invest in a variety of personal causes, from advancing critical medical research to inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in the automotive industry.
These efforts are different in size and scope, but they all serve as an important reminder that no matter how large the organization might become, we never lose sight of our values and what it means to lead through service, care for others, and do things the right way.
Made Possible by People
Our people make the difference. They’re our most important asset.
It’s a phrase heard often at Hendrick Automotive Group and a philosophy that has shaped the organization’s success over the past 50 years. From the first showrooms and service bays to a current network of 100-plus dealerships, the belief has remained the same – success is never a solo effort.
What started with a handful of employees on a dirt showroom floor in Bennettsville has grown to include more than 11,000 teammates across the country. The roles and responsibilities may differ, but we all share a common goal of serving our customers and communities with integrity, care, and exceptional service.
Behind every great experience is a great team. At Hendrick Automotive Group, we have long believed that taking care of our teammates is one of the most important ways we can take care of our customers. When we support, encourage, and empower our teammates, they create stronger experiences and build lasting relationships. They are the ones who carry the Hendrick difference forward.
For 50 years, this organization has been built by teams of people who understand, respect, and elevate one another. They are the reason Hendrick Automotive Group has reached this milestone, and they will be the reason its story continues.
The Next Chapter
As Hendrick Automotive Group reflects on 50 years, we do so with gratitude for every teammate, customer, partner, and community who has played a role in this journey. What began with a young man, a dealership, and a determination to outwork every obstacle has grown into five decades of trust, service, and commitment, built one relationship and one experience at a time.
As we look to the future, we do so with pride in where we have been and confidence in where we are headed. The industry will continue to evolve, and new opportunities will emerge. Through it all, we will be ready to do what we have always done and always will do – care for our people, serve our customers, and do things the right way.
To everyone who helped build this legacy and everyone who will help carry it forward, thank you. The Hendrick Automotive Group story is still being written.
Here’s to the next 50!
AdChoices