Pub. 1 2019-20 Issue 2

http://wvcar.com 12 WVADA Get to know WVADA’s Time Dealer of the Year Nominee, Wally Thornhill How did you become a car dealer? Did you always aspire to be part of the automotive industry? I began working in the eighth grade with my father, doing auto body work. In high school, I started my own gas station and auto repair business, and continued running my business as a way to pay for college. The business did well, and I purchased real estate and diversi- fied my portfolio. I ran a salvage yard with towing service for 11 years, opened three pharmacies, invested in real estate and was a member of a small local bank board. I was always looking for opportunities. But I had a dream to own a car dealership. In 1996, I bought into a local Pontiac Buick GMC dealership – the same store where my father had been an auto body tech- nician in the 1960s. I helped turn the business around. Within a year as partner in 1996, a new state-of-the-art store was built on a major high- way (our current location) and sales were turned from 200 units to 600 units per year.  In 1998, I was able to buy out my partner in the Pontiac Buick GMC dealership. With much success, the Thornhill Auto Group grew from there.  In 2005, Wally purchased the Ford-Lincoln-Mercury dealership located just half a mile from the GM Superstore on US Route 119, now Thornhill Ford Lincoln.  With a growing used car business in 2008, Wally opened a small pre-owned car lot, Thornhill Factory Outlet, located in Logan at the Fountain Place Mall.  This location has grown as it serves cus- tomers into the Williamson and Pikeville, Kentucky areas. Do you have family members in the auto industry? I didn’t when I started. My father had an auto body and re- pair shop, so I guess you could say I had my start close to the dealership part of the auto industry. Now I have two of my three children working with me. Describe your education background. What did you study? I have an associate degree in science and general business from Southern West Virginia Community and Technical Col- lege, in Logan, West Virginia. I graduated in 1985. Are there any specific individuals who had a major impact on your career? My father, Morris Thornhill. He was a skilled auto body re- pairman and technician. I started working with him when I was 14 years old. We would work together in the evenings in our family garage.  What is the most rewarding part of your career? Working with my daughter, Sydney and my son, Nathan, in the business. What do you think will be some of the dom- inant trends within the auto industry in the next 5-10 years? Electrification and consolidation. FCA and PSA are joining forces to manufacture electric vehicles. I think we’re going to see manufacturers consolidating to more quickly bring to market what consumers want. Both electrification and consolidation will make for chang- es in our dealerships, from repairs to retail. I believe that change brings opportunities in how we market our products to our customers. I think the franchise system is viable and has a definite place in meeting all the future trends. What is the biggest impact of being an WVADA member? What makes it beneficial? I think it is important to understand the national economy and legislative processes. As a dealer, it’s essential to be