Gorges and Company Volvo

COMPANY HISTORY

1928  Marcus William Gorges was a Durant (Buick) & Star (Dodge) dealer (Marc Goges’ Grandfather)

 

1948  Fred Gorges & Bob Moore (Davis Moore) are business partners in a non-automotive business

 

1953  Fred Gorges & Merle Yost (KS Representative Eric Yost’s father) open a used car lot at the corner of Pawnee & Broadway (Western Motors grew to 5 locations)

 

1954  Fred Gorges begins to look for additional franchise opportunities.  Primary interests: English Ford, Fiat, MG, Triumph, Jeep

 

1955  Fred Gorges bought Western Motors (from Ray Dwyer) the main store located at 1957 N Broadway (Fred operated 5 used car lots)

 

1955  While on a business trip in NYC, Fred meets a retired Swedish Air Force pilot (Niles Siefeldt) who introduced Fred Gorges to Volvos

 

1955  Fred Gorges and Johnny Eagle purchase AAA Car Auction

 

1957  Wichita’s first Volvo store opened, located at 1958 N Broadway

 

1960  Fred Gorges opens a used car lot at 2648 S Oliver (current location)

 

1960  Fred Gorges purchases the Volvo tractor distributorship and he sets up Volvo tractor and car dealerships throughout the state

 

1961  Fred Gorges moves his family to Lincoln, NE to operate Lincoln Mercury franchise

 

1966  Fred Gorges sells Lincoln Mercury franchise and returns to Wichita

 

1967  The Volvo store was destroyed in a fire

 

1969  Marc Gorges opens a Tony’s Pizza on the Gorges South Oliver properties

 

1969  Fred Gorges purchases the Chrysler Plymouth franchise from Dave Johnson (moves his family)

 

1969  Volvo store moves to 7200 E Kellogg (Gorges Chrysler Plymouth Volvo)

 

1971  Marc Gorges operates the used car lot at 2648 S Oliver

 

1973  Marc Gorges recognized the energy crisis and converts Tony’s Pizza to a Bicycle & Motorcycle retail store

 

1973  Chrysler franchise was sold to Zeller Motors and moved from Kellogg to out of town

 

1975  Gorges Volvo moves from E Kellogg to 2660 S Oliver (where Gorges Motor Company is currently located)

 

1977  Fred Gorges passes away leaving his operation to Marc Gorges (29) and his younger brothers Mike Gorges (27) and David Gorges (24)

 

1978  The Gorges brothers (Marc, Mike and David) adopt the Saab franchise, create Gorges Brothers Volvo Saab

 

1982  Mike Gorges (middle son), moves to Omaha, NE and starts a Pontiac, Volvo & GMC truck franchise

 

1982  Marc Gorges and Vic Scholfield purchase Spraker VW, Porsche, Audi from the Spraker Estate (Dick Spraker)

 

1983  Marc Gorges and Vic Scholfield build the import store at Greenwich & Kellogg.  Marc was involved in the store for one week

 

1983  Marc Gorges traded his interest in Porsche for Audi and VW.  He moved Audi and VW to S Oliver.  Now Volvo, Audi, VW, Saab

 

1984  AAFS (American Auto Finance Services, a related finance company) became incorporated

 

1988  Marc Gorges, Steve Hatchett and Al Wittmann buy the import store (Kellogg & Greenwich) back from Vic Scholfield and operate 9 franchise lines: Lexus, Mercedes, Jaguar, Saab, Porsche, Volvo, VW, Audi, Acura

 

1989  Marc Gorges sells VW and Audi franchises to his brother David Gorges

 

1990  David Gorges purchases Dick Hatfield Chevrolet in Augusta.  David Gorges later sells to Frye Chevrolet

 

1992  Gorges & Wittmann sell their business to the Scholfield organization & partners

 

1993  Gorges & Company expands its Oliver sales lot from 50 vehicles to over 100 vehicles on the lot

 

1995  Volkswagen is sold to the Donovan organization and Marc Gorges becomes a single point Volvo dealer

 

1996  Marc Gorges and his CFO, Gene Baldwin become partners in AAFS (American Auto Finance Services)

 

1996  The Gorges Auto Finance Center opens at 114 N West St (Douglas & West)

 

1997  The 1^st Volvo Concept in the US opens at K-96 and Webb Road

 

1997  Marc Gorges enters into a joint venture with Thorn America (AdvantEDGE Quality Cars).  Opens two stores in Kansas City.  (Wornall Ave and State St)

 

1997  Gorges & Company Volvo moves to a brand new state-of-the-art facility on N Webb Road (at K-96), its current location

 

1998  Marc Gorges and his oldest son Scott Gorges become partners in Gorges & Company Volvo

 

1998  Marc Gorges and his General Manager, Scott Pitman become partners in the two Gorges Motor Company operations

 

2000  Gorges Motor Company moved to 100% Non-Commissioned Salespeople and looks to hire exclusively outside of the auto industry

 

2002  Gorges Motor Company sees over 100% annual growth due to a dedication to Internet based selling, follow up and marketing strategies

 

2002  Gorges Motor Company is asked to chair the first “Special Finance Group One” 20-Group in the country

 

2003  Marc Gorges and Scott Gorges enter into a joint venture with Rapid Brake & Muffler to open a store in Wichita.  New address in Old Town is 1210 E Douglas.  Plans for expansion include:  Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Davenport, IA

2004  Gorges Motor Company is featured in Auto Dealer magazine

 

2008  Marc Gorges and Scott Gorges close the Rapid Brake and Muffler store after 5 years in order to refocus on the one larger used car operation on S Oliver (Gorges Motor Company)