Few names in the automotive industry resonate more than Hendrick. What began as a young man with a passion for cars eventually led to one of the greatest success stories in the world of automobiles.
The journey of Hendrick Automotive Group began far before the first dealership opened its doors. Our Founder and CEO, Rick Hendrick, was born and raised on a farm in Palmer Springs, Va. At a young age, Hendrick discovered his deep passion for cars. His childhood and teenage years were often spent alongside his father, “Papa Joe,” working on, restoring, and racing different vehicles. In fact, the first car he ever rebuilt was a 1931 Chevrolet that he still owns today.
After high school, he moved to Raleigh, N.C., to attend North Carolina State University, but his passion never waned and led him down a different path. He partnered with Raleigh-area dealer Mike Leith to open a small used-car lot and quickly proved his knack for the business. At just 23 years old, he was named general sales manager of Leith’s new-car import operation, and the rest was history. He knew the automotive business was for him.
Hendrick received his first ownership opportunity when he was approached to take over a struggling Chevrolet dealership in Bennettsville, S.C., a small town located about two hours southeast of Charlotte, N.C. In 1976, at the age of 26, he sold off his assets to purchase the franchise and thus became the nation’s youngest Chevy dealer. Under his leadership, the once-troubled dealership transformed into the region’s most profitable.
The win in Bennettsville led to another key moment in company history. In 1978, Chevrolet supported Hendrick in purchasing City Chevrolet, a large and reputable dealer in Charlotte, N.C. The location quickly bore the fruit of Hendrick’s influence. In year one, it experienced a dramatic sales increase to become the No. 1 volume Chevy dealership in the Carolinas and would later become the company’s flagship location.
The early successes in Bennettsville and Charlotte opened the door to 45+ years of expansion and growth across the country and ultimately set the stage for the Hendrick Automotive Group we know today.
Since 1976, Hendrick Automotive Group has grown to become the largest privately held dealership group in the country, with 95 dealership locations, 21 collision centers, and four accessories distributor installers across 13 states. In 2024, it generated over $13.6 billion in revenue after selling more than 206,000 vehicles while servicing 2.6 million cars and trucks.
Hendrick Automotive Group is currently headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., and employs over 11,000 teammates all working toward a shared goal of being the premier quality vehicle retailer in the world, with Mr. Hendrick leading the effort as Chairman and CEO.
WHAT'S NEXT
As Hendrick Automotive Group continues to grow, we are excited to open Hendrick INEOS Grenadier in Charleston, S.C., this spring. This marks an exciting time for our company as we introduce this unique 4x4 to the South Carolina Lowcountry.
We look forward to offering sales and service for the INEOS Grenadier, backed by our strong and steadfast commitment to the customer experience. Stay tuned for further updates and announcements, and follow along to learn more about what makes this off-road vehicle a true one-of-a-kind!
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INEOS Dealer