VAN HORN TERMINATES FRANCHISE AGREEMENT WITH MAZDA

On September 30, 2023 Van Horn Automotive Group terminated the franchise agreement with Mazda Motor Corporation. The dealership will now operationate as a retailer and service center for pre-owned vehicles.

Van Horn Mazda of Sheboygan, located at 3512 Wilgus Ave., Sheboygan, WI 53085 was owned by Chuck Van Horn, and managed by Van Horn Automotive Group Holdings, LLC. This location reopened for business on Monday, October 2, 2023 under the name Van Horn Motors of Sheboygan.

This location has been in the Van Horn Family since 1989, when Joe Van Horn and Dan Wieland went into business together. Dan and Joann Wieland operated the dealership as Van Horn Wieland Oldsmobile. Hyundai was added shortly after, and then Mazda more recently. In January of 2020, Van Horn Hyundai of Sheboygan moved to a new facility on Racetrack Road, leaving Mazda as the sole franchise. “The move to sell the franchise back to Mazda was strictly a business decision,” said Jeff Niesen, President of Van Horn Automotive Group. “We had early success with this location as a stand-alone Mazda dealership, but the effects of COVID made new Mazda vehicle acquisition very difficult, and the investment to build a new facility didn’t match up with new vehicle sales. We’re excited to continue to operate this location as a used car dealership serving Sheboygan and beyond.”

All current staff will remain employed at Van Horn Motors of Sheboygan, and very little will change in day-to-day operations. It will continue to operate as a pre-owned auto dealership and full-service repair facility. The only difference will be that it can no longer perform warranty service on Mazda vehicles, and current customers will need to travel to another Mazda dealership to have warranty work completed.

About Van Horn Automotive Group

Van Horn Automotive Group, Inc. is a family born, employee owned automotive group with headquarters in Plymouth, Wisconsin. Founded in 1966 by Joe Van Horn as a single Chevrolet dealership, Van Horn Automotive Group has grown to include 16 automotive dealerships, a finance company and a wholesale financial products company. The group employs over 750 people throughout Wisconsin and Iowa. For employment opportunities visit the Careers page at https://www.vhcars.com/careers/.