COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 5511

New and Used Car Dealers

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

12companies1940–1984founding years12still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedKesko Ltd. (Kesko Oy)FoundedKesko Ltd. (Kesko Oy)
1940
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long postwar expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented at Bell Labs.
1956
EconomyThe Interstate Highway program remakes commerce.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedNavistar International CorporationFoundedNavistar International Corporation
1966
FoundedPenske CorporationFoundedPenske Corporation
1969
1970
EnvironmentThe EPA is founded; environmental regulation expands.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; Nasdaq opens.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
FoundedMel Farr Automotive GroupFoundedMel Farr Automotive Group
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins with the Altair.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher.
FoundedRepublic Industries, Inc.FoundedRepublic Industries, Inc.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedJardine Matheson Holdings LimitedFoundedJardine Matheson Holdings Limited
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall 22% in a single day.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2001
EconomyThe September 11 attacks; a recession follows.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 begin to take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Kesko Ltd. (Kesko Oy) →
Active · founded 1940 · Finland
The largest trading company in Finland, Kesko Ltd.
Kesko Ltd. (Kesko Oy) →
Active · founded 1940 · Finland
The largest trading company in Finland, Kesko Ltd.
Navistar International Corporation →
Active · founded 1966
Navistar International Corporation is America's largest manufacturer of medium- and heavy-duty diesel trucks.
Navistar International Corporation →
Active · founded 1966
Navistar International Corporation is America's largest manufacturer of medium- and heavy-duty diesel trucks.
Penske Corporation →
Active · founded 1969
Ranked among America's 50 largest private companies, Penske Corporation is a transportation services firm with major…
Penske Corporation →
Active · founded 1969
Ranked among America's 50 largest private companies, Penske Corporation is a transportation services firm with major…
Mel Farr Automotive Group →
Active · founded 1975
When it comes to auto dealerships in and around the Motor City, the name Mel Farr is ubiquitous.
Mel Farr Automotive Group →
Active · founded 1975
When it comes to auto dealerships in and around the Motor City, the name Mel Farr is ubiquitous.
Republic Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1981
Until H.
Republic Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1981
Until H.
Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited →
Active · founded 1984 · Bermuda
Jardine Matheson is one of the oldest names in East Asia, and Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited is an international…
Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited →
Active · founded 1984 · Bermuda
Jardine Matheson is one of the oldest names in East Asia, and Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited is an international…
Build It Today

Starting a new and used car dealers company now

Each week we rebuild one of these stories for today's tools and capital.