It was a different world when our first WardsAuto Dealer 500 began 34 years ago.
What's now called the Detroit 3 was then called the Big Three, a name reflecting the one-time domestic dominance of General Motors, Ford and Chrsyler.
Hyundai sold its first car, a tiny econobox in 1986. At the time, few Americans had ever heard of the South Korean brand. They know it now.
Public dealership groups were still about a decade away.
And the Internet? Virtually no one knew what that was, let alone used it. Buying cars online was way up the line.
Sure, a lot of automotive changes have occurred over nearly three and a half decades. But one thing hasn't changed: dealers' car-selling talents, as exemplified by the power hitters on the WardsAuto 2020 Dealer 500.
Cars are of better quality today. So are dealerships. They are more consumer friendly, intent on delivering positive customer experiences. Three Wards Dealer 500 players we interviewed share their thoughts on not only selling cars and treating customers right but also on doing so during tough times. A story about them is here.
To see who else is on our Dealer 500 and how they rank from 1 to 500, check out this year's big list.
Click the button below to download the WardsAuto 2020 Dealer 500.
