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Fugate Ford Celebrates 50 Years of Automotive Excellence
ENUMCLAW, Wash. - Fugate
Ford of Enumclaw recently
celebrated its 50th
year of automotive excellence.
Ford Motor Company Regional
Manager Eric Cin
presented a plaque to Fugate
Ford on Friday, July 16, to
commemorate the milestone
anniversary. "Fugate Ford is
a great example of longevity
and excellence," Cin said.
"They're an inspiration to
the rest of the Ford family
to continue offering the best
customer service possible."
"We feel honored to be a
long-standing member of
this community," said Gregg
Fugate, second-generation
co-owner at Fugate Ford.
"Our customers are the key
to our longevity. For 50
years, we've been offering
them outstanding products
and services, and they have
responded by returning to us
and bringing their family and
friends."
The dealership began as
Collins Motor Company
in 1949. Jim Fugate, a top
salesperson who eventually
became the sales manager at
Collins, purchased the company
in 1960. He changed
the company name to Jim
Fugate Ford but continued
its focus on customer satisfaction.
Today, a second
generation of Fugate family
members, sons Keith and
Gregg Fugate, are continuing
the tradition and even selling
vehicles to the children and
grandchildren of the original
Collins Motor Company customers.
Fugate Ford doesn't rest on
its seniority: The business is
a past recipient of Ford Motor
Company's prestigious
President's Award, which
recognizes Ford, Lincoln
and Mercury dealers across
the country for delivering superior
customer experience
in sales, service and overall
ownership of their vehicles.
Fugate Ford also is active in
supporting local schools: In
the past year, it helped raise
nearly $6,000 for area highschool
programs through
partnering with the community
in Ford's Drive One
4 UR School fundraisers.
Through these events, Ford
and Fugate Ford donated $20
for each qualifying member
of the public who test-drove
a new Ford vehicle. Fugate
Ford plans to participate
again this fall, with a Drive
One 4 UR School event
scheduled in September.
"We're proud of our entire
staff and very pleased to have
a Ford franchise," Gregg Fugate
said. "Ford has a solid
business plan and is producing
fuel-effi cient, high-quality
cars and trucks. This is a
great time to be a part of the
Ford family."
Congratulations
to John Webley on the
purchase of the first new 2011
Ford Fiesta at
Fugate!
Why he chose Fugate Ford and the Fiesta:
"First and foremost, let me say that I do a lot of driving and the
Fiesta is a great commuter car! I have been a customer of Fugate
Ford for the last 15 years because the message is consistently the
same from the owners, sales personnel,to the service department,
and that is outstanding customer service. I recommend everyone
I know to compare and you will see the difference!"
Sincerely, John Webley, Auburn, WA.
Fugate History
If you wanted to create the perfect car dealership, you couldn't go wrong by mixing the best of the old along with the new, and placing it under the ownership of a family that has always cared about its customers and its community. Add Friendly sales people in touch with their customers, modern showrooms stocked with the best cars and trucks around and all the current information people need to make the right choice and you have the recipe for an ideal car dealership that has been perfected right here in Enumclaw.
With Collins Motor Company starting and becoming an industry leader in 1949, and Jim Fugate taking over in 1960 to continue on with being the industry leader, the past will never be forgotten.
Fifty years ago, Enumclaw folks were buying their new Ford Customs and other models from Collins Motor Company. Jim Fugate was working for Collins Motor Company as a salesperson. He was #1 in sales in 1957 when the Seattle District was Seattle and Portland combined. Jim became the Sales Manager and after years of success within the company, had an opportunity to purchase Collins Motors in 1960. That was the beginning of the Fugate success story.
In 1965, Jim Fugate announced the dealership's new name-Jim Fugate Ford. Along with the original crew, he proceeded to continue the positive customer service experience. "Customer satisfaction isn't everything, it's THE ONLY THING," Jim Fugate said in a newspaper interview. Ten years later, the dealership was growing with the Enumclaw community, and the second generation of the Fugate family was working in the business with the same dedication to customers.
Customer satisfaction was indeed the only thing, and it kept the dealership growing. Word of mouth from satisfied customers had more people than ever coming down to the showroom on Highway 410 at Blake St. When those people bought new cars, with the exceptional service and attention they received as long as they owned their car, it meant they bought their next new car at Jim Fugate Ford as well. As years went on, Fugate sales people were selling cars to the grandsons and granddaughters of the original Collins Motor Company customers.
Now, in 2010 that same philosophy "customer satisfaction isn't everything it's THE ONLY THING" is still the mantra today with second generation owners Keith and Gregg Fugate. The customers we have at Fugate Ford-Mercury-Mazda are very loyal and have been doing business with us for many years. We must live up to the high standards that they have come to expect.
Our employees understand the importance of customer satisfaction and take it very serious. Our very existence relies on repeat and referral business. In a small community like ours it is imperative to follow through, as word travels fast and word of mouth from happy customers is very important. With that being said, we look forward to each and every day with a positive attitude, lots of smiles and genuine helpful teamwork to assist all of our wonderful customers.
Keith and Gregg Fugate