To many people across Ontario,
Listowel is ‘Car City’. This designation is not an accident, but rather the result of the hard work and cooperation of the Listowel Car Dealers Association, a group consisting of five of Listowels’ most successful businessmen.
The concept of Car City originated in the late 1960’s. Harvey Krotz of Harvey Krotz Ford and Bob MacMullen of Listowel Chrysler foresaw the significant benefits of cooperation. At that time 500,000 potential customers lived within a 30-minute drive, but reaching them through a planned media campaign would need a united approach - so the Association was formed.
The founding members of the Dealer Association were of Listowel Chrysler, Harvey Krotz Ford, Jacksons General Motors, and Davidson’s American Motors.
During the past 30 years, ownership and product lines have changed, but the founding ideas behind the Car City concept have stood the test of time. Meetings are held monthly to discuss upcoming promotions and events, and to plan cooperative media strategies.
The fact that Listowel accounts for the largest number of new car registrations in Canada is testimony to considerable success that the Association has achieved in attracting car buyers to Car City.