The very first Ford dealership in Winder GA was founded in 1924 only 21 years after Henry Ford starting manufacturing that very first Model A. That particular dealership passed through many hands and names before the Akins family took over in 1966. It has rested in those very capable hands ever since. Keep reading to learn more about the Akins Ford 50th Anniversary and history, as well as where you can expect our dealership to go in the future.
Early History at Akins Ford
Roger Akins purchased what was then known as Thrifty Motors from J. W. Huckabee on February 23, 1966 for $30,000. In 1971, his brother Harold Akins bought the business from him in turn. In the years of his leadership, Akins Ford would branch out and grow, adding auto lines like AMC-Jeep, Chrysler and even Yugo and even experimenting with the sale of mobile homes and tractors.
Harold had come to work for his brother Roger at Akins Ford in 1966 before buying the dealership, and his enthusiasm for the business and willingness to embrace challenges quickly brought him, and Akins Ford, success. During the ’70s, he was recognized as one of the leading Ford truck dealership in the United States, and even won contests for dealers run by the Ford Motor Company. He often challenged his sales team and they always rose to the challenge.
Check out: Custom Truck Accessories at Akins’ Wild Willies Shop
Akins Ford Today and in the Future
Harold died in 1990, and his son Brad became president of the company at the age of 23. He was young for the job, but over the years Akins Ford has prospered under his leadership. On February 22, 2016 we celebrate 50 years of business with a new ground breaking that will add 18,000 square feet to the existing Akins Ford facilities and offer improvements to the service, parts and accessories departments, as well as enhancements to the showroom and customer lounge.
We would like to thank all our customers and the community of Winder for the successes we’ve had in this last half-century of business. Akins Ford has been in business for 50 years offering top customer service and the very best in Ford Chrysler Dodge Jeep and Ram vehicles, and we look forward to another 50 more (and beyond).
I would like to thank the whole Akins umbrella. I went to Akins Quicklane yesterday a frustrated person. I had a lug nut problem, 2 wouldn’t come off a blown up tire. I limped all the way from Mall of GA Ford to Akins Quicklane with my own compressor. They proceeded to fix my car which is still under Fords platinum warranty. They replaced my tire that I had gotten there a fair and reasonable price. Less than what I originally paid. Akins treats you fair and anybody who is looking for a car should start here. Joe any Graham I want to personally thank them and if you need car service go to Akins Quicklane my next Ford will be bought from an Akins lot.