April 22, 2024
A grand rite of dedication and grand opening will be held Saturday at Karl Auto Group (KAG), 1000 N. Third Ave. in Marshalltown, which were the icing on the cake for businesses and citizens after several years of construction, renovation and preparation. the site.
KAG owner Carl Moyer, employees, Marshalltown Mayor Joel Greer, local media and ambassadors from the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce all flocked to celebrate a multimillion-dollar investment.
“It’s exciting,” Moyer said. Being a bit of a dreamer like me, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to have a facility in Marshalltown. Here we have a network of almost 30,000 people and almost 100,000 people in a 50-mile advertising area. Our company in Marshalltown is designed to be the destination for consumers of all things automotive. If someone comes here, whatever the challenge, we can handle it professionally. For example, our frame shop is top-of-the-line. This is a very smart business deal for us.
Greer effusively praised Moyer.
“After the tornado, five and a half years ago now, one of the first phone calls I got from Carl Moyer,” Greer said. “He said, ‘I have a check for $25,000. I’ve sold a lot of cars. “to others in Marshalltown. . . Tell me who I’m writing the check to.
Greer referred him to one of three nonprofits that are contributing to the recovery efforts. Later, he won Moyer’s call.
“He said, ‘We need to have a facility in Marshalltown, tell me where we’ll locate it,'” Greer said, paraphrasing the exchange.
Greer encouraged Moyer to invest in the north side of the community.
“We have a lot of progress on the south side. He (Moyer) pledged to invest millions of dollars in this area, even though they may have just headed south,” the mayor said. “Those are the two reasons why I like this guy and I had to tell the story. Welcome to Marshalltown and thank you for what you’ve done.
The complex includes an ample stock of new Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, GMC, Jeep and Ram models, according to its website. Also on-site is a giant used vehicle stock, a frame shop, a spare parts department, a vehicle service area, showrooms, “touchless” car wash, “fast” oil change area, and offices.
KAG bills itself as the No. 1 Chevrolet Certified Pre-Owned dealer in the country,” according to the company’s promotional materials.
For decades, the site was the home of Ken Wise Buick, GMC, and Honda. In the past it was on the two hundred block of E. State Street. Wise’s sons, John and Tom Wise, later sold the business to a former Wise employee. , Dave Wright of Cedar Rapids and KAG bought that company in July 2021.
Now, two years and eight months later, the region has been dramatically renewed. Other houses have been bought. More stock has been added. Commercial construction length has increased from 15,000 to 70,000 square feet and employment has increased from 28 to 54, according to the company’s leading chief marketing officer, Tony Mills. New signage installed earlier this year.
Mills, who moderated Saturday’s event, told The Times-Republican that the city of Marshalltown and local economic progress officials have provided aid and assistance to the project.
“It’s a day to buy a vehicle,” Mills said.
KAG has more locations in Ankeny, Glidden, Story City, Stuart, and Webster City.
Marshalltown’s hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 8 a. m. to 8 p. m. M. A. to 7 p. m. , Friday and Saturday from 8 a. m. 6 p. m. Closed on Sundays. For more information, call 641-752-7101 or www. karlcdjr. com.
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