1921 – 2006
Celebrating an 85-year
tradition of leadership, pride and service.
1921 – Henry Westlie started the Ford Dealership in Minot North Dakota.
1927 – Ford Motor
Company ceased the manufacture of Model T trucks. Knowing our
customers needed trucks, Westlie decided to start assembling them
locally from parts ordered from Ford. Westlie set up an assembly line
in the second floor of the garage and in 1927 turned out 38 trucks
and in 1928 assembled 50.
1939 – Westlie
added the Lincoln Mercury lineup.
1946 – Ford Motor
Company announced that Westlie Ford was the fourth highest in the
nation in service sales, selling $1,200,000 worth of service &
parts.
1948 – Westlie
moved from Central Ave to its location on South Broadway.
1958 –
Construction of an addition to Westlie Motor Company. The new
addition, a one-story wing 170 feet long by 80 feet wide attached to
the existing building, will be used for Parts & Service
1962 – Westlie
build a 1.7 million shopping center with 165,000 sq feet of lease
space connected by 22,000 feet of enclosed mall space. It is
described as the largest of its kind in North Dakota.
1975 – Westlie’s
Truck Center opens. The facility is the largest of its kind between
Minneapolis and Billings. Features include 6 – 120 foot bays,
20 x 75 foot body and paint department, parts department and a
heavy-duty truck sales and leasing department.
1978 – Westlies
moves its tire sales and service department to North Broadway.
1989 – The newly
reconstructed used vehicle facility is built using the latest in
concept marketing and lighting.
1990 – At a time
when many businesses are closing, Westlie Motors totally remodels the
new car showroom. Thus, creating a sense of stability and giving back
to a community who has given so much to them
1993 – The Parts
and Service facility is completely remodeled.
1995 – Body Shop
is remodeled
2004 - Westlies earns
the Salute To Dealers Award. Only 9 were given out in
the entire US. The award is given to Dealers who improve the lives of
those in need in their communities while providing outstanding
products and services. The program is conducted under the guidance of
Edsel B. Ford II, great-grandson of Henry Ford and a member of Ford’s
Board of Directors.
2005 - Building for the
Future…..
Tearing down the old
fueling area and restaurant, Westlie Truck Center Expands, adding an
additional 3,500 square feet. With the remodeling of the original
sales area, it now gives a comfortable 6,200 square feet for the
sales, parts & service write up area and customer lounge.
Steve Blasing,
President of Westlie Motor Company is quoted as saying “With
the Trucking Industry growing, we felt the need to accommodate our
large Customer base. Designing and building the most modern and up to
date facility was our goal. Our customers come first, not only at the
truck center, but at all Westlie locations.”
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