Villa Ford Orange California - The history of Villa Ford in Orange CA.

FORD VIDEO

Herb and Wanda Baldwin opened an English Ford Dealership in Bellflower, California in 1956, calling it Plaza Motors. Herb had his start in the car business in Bakersfield, where he was the sales manager for the Cadillac dealer.

During the first months of owning Plaza Motors, they learned that having a dealership is a tough business. However, business was especially outstanding during the last five years of the 15 years of Plaza Motors when they sold the English Ford Cortina line.

The Baldwin dealership sold more imported Fords for those five years in succession than any other dealer in the United States.

When Ford USA brought out the Pinto line and closed down all the Cortina dealerships, Plaza Motors was given a full domestic Ford franchise. On March 2, 1970, the 23 employees of Plaza Motors began the move to Villa Ford in Orange. Everyone, including their two daughters Karen and Peggy, helped to drive the 50 new cars and the 11 used ones to the new lot. Villa Ford received its business license on March 5, 1970, and began to sell cars.

The venture was very successful from the beginning with the new company quickly becoming one of Ford's top 100 dealers in the country in volume of sales. The borrowed capital used to open Villa Ford was repaid in just 35 months. This success led to the purchase of the facility from Ford Motor Company and expansion of the property and service area.

Beginning with the first year and continuing for 18 years in succession, Villa Ford received Ford Motor Company's Distinguished Achievement Award, given in recognition for progressive management, sound merchandising practices and high-quality standards of service.

Karen Baldwin joined the company in 1974, serving in car rentals and investments. In 1975 Wanda took over Herb's duties for a few months because of his ill health.

Peggy and her husband, Brian Butler, started in the car business in 1982 at Villa Honda in Hemet, California. When Herb sold his share of Villa Honda in 1988, Peggy and Brian moved over to Villa Ford in Orange.

By August 1992, Herb felt confident to retire, and by December of that same year, Wanda followed. They sold the business to Karen, Peggy and Brian. When Herb passed away on October 28, 1998, he and Wanda had been married 56 years, and had worked together for 22 years at Villa Ford.

The Governing Board of Villa Ford

Brian Butler:
President and Shareholder

Peggy Baldwin-Butler:
Secretary and Shareholder
Karen Baldwin:
Treasurer and Shareholder

Butch Kady:

Vice President and Director

Jenifer Butler:

Internet Sales Director

Villa Ford, in April 2000 in its 30th year in business, at the anniversary luncheon for all 150 employees, broke ground to construct a brand new showroom on the same property. The new showroom and offices became the primary site on the anniversary date of March 5, 2001, exactly 31 years to the day of the original opening. Wanda and her sister Hazel were on hand to bear witness to this transition.

Over time other family members have joined the business. Brian's daughter Jenifer Butler has served in various positions learning the business since 1995. She is currently the Internet and Special Finance Manager, and a recent graduate of the Dealer Academy through the National Automobile Dealer Association in 2003.

In April of 2003 Jenifer married Kyle Sullivan, the present General Sales Manager, who finished the same Dealer Academy in 2004. Kyle Sullivan was promoted to General Manager in March of 2005. So the family stays very much involved and grows with the business.

Judy Butler, Jimmy Butler: Brian and Peggy's daughter Judy, has worked part time since 1998 as receptionist and clerk, and in May 2004 graduated from California State University Long Beach with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Occasionally Jimmy Butler, Brian and Peggy's son, works with the service technicians as an assistant as he pursues a college education, and Wilson Raiser (Brian's brother) joined the business in 1999 helping to create and maintain Villa's Websites and is the IT Manager, maintaining all the information technology systems.

The goal of Villa Ford is to continue Herb and Wanda Baldwin's philosophy of doing business successfully: high-volume sales, low pricing, and congenial work atmosphere of mutual respect and profit sharing for all employees.

Villa Ford is proud to be one of the largest Female owned auto dealerships in the United States and an exclusive member of the Woman's Business Owners Association.

Villa Ford would like to thank you, our loyal customers and employees, who have ultimately made this business a success.

Villa Ford and it's website affiliates are not responsible for any inaccuracies or mistakes of any kind including but not limited to pricing, photos, out dated data or expired advertisement. Pricing to change subject to notice. Any pricing is estimated only and is to be used as a guide. Contact Villa Ford for further information. webhosting: TalktoDealer.com

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