Van Horn Automotive Group Celebrates 60 Years of Family Leadership, Employee Ownership, and Community Impact

PLYMOUTH, Wis. — March 17th, 2026 — Van Horn Automotive Group is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, marking six decades of family leadership, employee ownership, and strong ties to the communities it serves. What began as a single Chevrolet dealership in Plymouth has grown into one of the Midwest’s most respected automotive groups; and the only employee-owned auto group in Wisconsin.

The Van Horn story began in 1965 when Joe Van Horn, then a District Manager for Chevrolet Motor Division in Chicago, set out to own a dealership of his own. Joe and his wife Kay moved

their family from Palatine, Illinois, to Plymouth, Wisconsin, with five children and a sixth on the way. Joe Van Horn Chevrolet opened its doors at the start of the new year in 1966.

Joe worked bell-to-bell six days a week. Kay supported the business, raised their growing family, and immersed herself in the community. Their values; hard work, service, and integrity, became the foundation of the company’s culture and continue to guide it today.

In 1977, the dealership relocated to a new east-side Plymouth facility with a larger showroom, expanded service capacity, and a dedicated body shop, setting the stage for future growth.

Expansion accelerated through the late 1980s and 1990s. In 1987, son Chuck purchased Hub City Dodge, later renamed Chuck Van Horn Dodge. In 1989, daughter Joann and her husband Dan Wieland purchased Frank Bernard Oldsmobile in Sheboygan. Hyundai was added to that location in 1990, beginning a long-standing partnership with the brand.

When an electrical fire heavily damaged the downtown Dodge location in 1994, the setback became an opportunity. A new facility was constructed next to the Chevrolet dealership, while the original building was later repurposed as the Plymouth Arts Center, an early example of the company’s commitment to the community.

Following Joe’s passing in 1996 and Kay’s in 2002, siblings, Teresa, Chuck and J.P. carried forward the first generation’s vision while guiding the company through steady expansion.

The 2000s and early 2010s brought continued growth across Wisconsin, including Hyundai in Fond du Lac, the addition of Chrysler and Jeep brands, the launch of Sheboygan County Budget Auto, expansion into Mazda, and the acquisition of Dane County Auto, bringing Van Horn into the Madison market.

In 2014, the organization unified under a single identity: Van Horn Automotive Group. Under the leadership of President Richard Strong and Co-CEOs Teresa and Chuck Van Horn, the group aligned operations, values, and the customer experience across all locations.

A defining milestone came in 2016 when the company transitioned to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), granting employees a 30 percent ownership stake at no cost. The move preserved the Van Horn family legacy while giving employee-owners a direct role in the company’s long-term success.

Growth accelerated in the years that followed, including the addition of brands such as Ford, Nissan, Volkswagen, Kia and Honda, in the central and eastern regions of Wisconsin.

Today, community involvement remains central to the company’s identity, a reflection of Kay Van Horn’s lifelong volunteerism. Through the Van Horn Gives Committee, Pay-It-Forward initiatives, youth partnerships, scholarship programs, and local events, the company continues to reinvest in the neighborhoods it serves.

“It is incredible to reflect on how far this company has come since my parents took a leap of faith and moved to Plymouth to pursue a dream,” said Teresa Van Horn, “Sixty years later, the values they instilled; hard work, compassion, and doing right by the customer, still guide every decision we make. Our employee-owners carry this legacy forward every day.”

Jeff Niesen, CEO and President and grandson of Joe and Kay said the milestone is about the people who built the company. “Celebrating 60 years is about honoring our founders, our employee-owners, and the communities that supported us along the way,” Niesen said. “As we look ahead, we remain focused on responsible growth, innovation, and delivering an even better customer experience for the next 60 years.”

About Van Horn Automotive Group

Van Horn Automotive Group, Inc. is a family-born, employee-owned automotive group headquartered in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Founded in 1966 by Joe Van Horn as a single Chevrolet dealership, the company has grown to include 17 automotive dealerships, a finance company, a fleet management division, and a wholesale financial products company. The group employs more than 750 people throughout Wisconsin. For employment opportunities, visit: www.vhcars.com/careers/