WALKER AUTOMOTIVE MOVES UP 19 SPOTS AND IS LISTED AS NUMBER 33 ON WARD’S DEALER MAGAZINE LIST OF NATION’S TOP DEALERSHIPS

This year marks the 10^th consecutive year that Walker Automotive has placed on the Annual Automobile Dealer 500 rankings published by “Wards Dealer Business” Magazine.  The list is a comprehensive ranking of the 500 biggest automobile dealerships in the country ranked by total revenue.  According to the magazine, one constant among the ranked dealers is that they are “among the best of the best” in the business.  Collectively, the nation’s 500 largest dealers sold more than 1.3 million vehicles with revenues in excess of $45 billion. 

“We are pleased to have made the Wards 500 list for the tenth consecutive year.” W. Foster Walker III, President of Walker Automotive said. “Our dealership group is honored to have a team of professionals dedicated to our continued growth and success.  The sales team, managers and employees have proven time and again that they are nimble enough to adapt to changes in the markets so that our business has positive growth.”  Walker’s overall revenue grew by 12% over last year and units increased 13%.  “I cannot say enough about the management team that is assembled throughout the organization.  They are committed to customer satisfaction and it continually translates into increased revenue and unit sales.” 

“I am proud to be a part of a group of dealers across the nation who employ so many people and contribute so much to local communities,” Walker Said.  According to the Louisiana Automobile Dealer’s Association, Louisiana has more than 320 franchised automobile dealers who employ more than 16,000 employees.  Two other dealers in Louisiana made the 2012 Ward’s Ranking list.  Walker moved up 19 spaces this year to number 33 and was further recognized as a leader in used units. 

Walker Automotive was recognized separately in the 2012 magazine as one of the 2011 Ward’s Dealer 500 used vehicle volume leaders.  Coming in at number 8 on the used units list, Walker delivered 3,455 used vehicles in 2011 which represents a 12% increase over the same time last year. 

Walker has continuously expanded its footprint in central Louisiana with new facilities and increased service.  “We are committed to our business, the Central Louisiana community, and our customers.  Our most recent commitment to this area is the addition of 20,000 square feet of expanded GM service area and a new stand-alone retail collision center.  Our growth comes from many areas and vehicle service and collision repair is vital to our continued success.  These two enhancements give our company additional capacity to repair our customer’s vehicles in an efficient manner while maintaining our focus on customer care” Walker said. 

The average age of passenger vehicles in United States is the highest in history according to research from Polk.  “Our entire organization is extremely proud of these two new enhancements and we expect the additions to assist us in meeting the additional service demand that is represented by the aging fleet of vehicles in the area.  People are keeping their cars longer and we want to be equipped to handle the additional service.” Walker Said.    

ABOUT WALKER AUTOMOTIVE

The dealership was founded in 1919 as Alexandria Auto Company, Inc. by Foster Walker Sr.  Walker Oldsmobile Company is now lead by Foster Walker III, as his father did before him.  Ninety-three years after its inception the dealership has expanded from its meager origins to four locations, 7 manufacturers, four service departments and a stand-alone collision center.  Walker employs more than 176 employees.  Over the last 9 decades, Walker has won numerous national and factory awards for all aspects of its business.  Walker Automotive offers new and pre-owned vehicles ranging from quality entry level models to German luxury vehicles.  

Mr. Walker also emphasized that as a fourth generation family company, Walker Automotive always tries to do what is in the best interest of its customers.  “We remain committed to serving our customers, being an active community partner, executing business strategies that allow for continued growth, and delivering new and used vehicles to satisfied customers.” 

Walker Automotive was named the 2010 Better Business Bureau Torch Award winner which recognizes local businesses for outstanding ethical practices.  This was the second time for Walker Automotive to win this prestigious award. 

ABOUT W. FOSTER WALKER III

W. Foster Walker III served as Chairman of the Board of the Louisiana Automobile Dealer’s Association for 2011-2012.  Mr. Walker has previously held the positions of Chairman Elect, Treasurer, and District 16 Representative for the Association. The board of directors for the Association is governed by 19 dealers elected from 14 districts across the state.   The Association represents approximately 320 automobile dealers in Louisiana and more than a hundred Associate and Subsidiary members. 

ABOUT WARD’S DEALER BUSINESS

Wards has covered the auto industry for more than 80 years, serving those within automakers, dealerships, suppliers and others serving or observing the industry with a wide range of information products.