Bob Ridings Ford Chrysler Jeep
Bob always says: “Only in America. We’ve been blessed”.
Bob Ridings was born in east Tennessee in a coal mining camp. The coal mine owned the house he lived in and the store they bought supplies from, where you owed your soul to the company store. In 1951 the family of 9 moved from East Tennessee to Peoria, ILlinois. Bob grew up in Germantown Hills, graduated from Metamora High School and worked in a factory, before getting a start in the car business. In 1969, Bob began selling Illinois used cars at a Chevrolet-Buick dealership in Metamora, IL. The dream of owning a dealership was driven by Bob’s passion for cars and love for people.
In July 1975, Bob moved his family to Taylorville, Illinois to purchase the Ford dealership. The dealership sold about 40 vehicles per month and employeed a staff of 25. Today with a staff of 95 we sell over 3000 vehicles a year and service over 24,566 vehicles a year. From this small beginning has grown the Ridings Family of 7 dealerships. The expansion began in 1985 with the purchase of the Chrysler-Dodge-Plymouth dealership in Pana, and in 1986 the Ford dealership in Jacksonville was added. The Bob Ridings family of dealerships truly began with the purchase of the Ford-Lincoln-Mercury dealership in Lincoln by Riding’s daughter Cathy and her husband Jim Xamis in 1988. Cathy and Jim worked at the Taylorville dealership for a number of years. In 1991, the Ridings Taylorville dealership expanded to include the Chrysler-Plymouth lines. He continued his growth with the purchase of the Lincoln-Mercury-Jeep-Eagle dealership in decatur in 1992. In 1995, keeping with family traditions son Rick Ridings purchased the Ford -Mercury dealerhship in Monticello. Later in 1997, Bob acquired the Lincoln-Mercury-Jeep dealership in Jacksonville. the Ridings family of dealerships continued to grow when in 2003 the Suzuki franchise was added to the Decatur dealership. Today the family of 7 dealerships, thanks to loyal customers and employees, service over 100,000 vehicles per year and sell over 12,000 vehicles per year. Bob’s other interests go back to love of land and horses from the Tennessee hills, evidenced by raising chickens, horses, wildlife habitat and raising 5 acres of sweet corn, which he gives away every year.
Our business mission is to provide our customers with a shopping, buying, service and ownership experience that consistently satisfies each individual’s needs and exceeds their expectations in a comfortable, supportive environment.
L & L Automart
Specialties: Financing Available, Affordable Cars, Affordable Trucks, Trucks & Vans For Everyone, Van’s & Cars For Everyone, Illinois Used Car.
Trinity Dodge – Taylorville, Illinois
Stop by and visit us today at Trinity Dodge in Taylorville, Springfield, Decatur, Lincoln, and Mattoon, your local Ram, and Dodge new and Illinois used Car, Truck, SUV dealership. We take pride in the vehicles we sell and strive to succeed in great customer experience and satisfaction.
Whether you are looking for a new Ram 1500, 2500, or Dodge Nitro, our friendly staff at Trinity Dodge are eager to assist you in your car buying process.
At Trinity Dodge we give you easy access to the most up-to-date internet car buying tools: you can quickly view our new Ram, and Dodge specials, Illinois used car specials, new Ram, and Dodge inventory, used vehicle inventory, research or compare your new vehicle, request a test drive, apply for financing, schedule your next service appointment, or even get door to door directions.