Friday, May 29, 2009

our history

The Long Beach Auto Company was founded in 1909 by Walter L. Thomas on Pacific Avenue. His son, Glenn E., became very active in the company and eventually purchased the dealership. The name was changed to Glenn E. Thomas Company, and in 1921 the company moved to a new facility in Long Beach on Anaheim Street near Long Beach Blvd. Two of its most famous guests visited shortly after its opening. One was soon to set a major league record that would stand for years, hitting 60 home runs in a single season. He brought his first baseman with him. Glenn heard the Yankees were coming to town to play in an exhibition game and had extended an invitation to Babe Ruth to be his guest at his favorite duck-hunting club. The picture of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Glenn E. Thomas still adorns our showroom wall today.

In 1934 Mr. Thomas entered into a franchise agreement with Chrysler and Glenn E. Thomas Company became a Dodge dealership.

1944 brought the paths of a young Navy fighter pilot, Monte Davis, and Mr. Thomas together. Mr. Thomas was duck hunting at the Bear River Duck Club in Brigham City, Utah. Monte served as Mr. Thomas’s guide while he was home on leave, and a bond between the two men developed. He knew he would be good in business and offered him a job at his car dealership when the war ended.

Monte and his bride moved to Long Beach in 1945. He began his automotive career with Mr. Thomas, starting in the parts department and eventually working his way up to General Manager of the Dealership.

Monte Davis became the sole owner of the company in 1968. Monte became very active in the auto industry, being awarded the Time Magazine Quality Award and was finalist for the Time Magazine Dealer of the Year Award. Monte was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1996. He served as president of both the Motor Car Dealers Association of California and the Long Beach Auto Dealers Association as well as on Chrysler’s Presidents Council and was chairman of the National Dodge Dealer Council.

Monte’s son Robert joined him in the car business in 1973, and was quickly recognized by Chrysler for selling more vehicles than any other Dodge salesman in the United States in 1976.

Chrysler introduced the “Five Star Award” in 1984. Glenn E. Thomas Co. was one of five dealerships to earn the “Five Star” Award in Southern California. The award is based on scores in six different categories: facility, employee, training, processes, sales volume and customer surveys. Glenn E. Thomas Company is one of three dealerships in the world to earn this award every year since 1984.

Early in 1990, Glenn E. Thomas Company opened a new multi-million dollar facility in Signal Hill near the 405 Freeway. At this same time Bob Davis took over the reins as President, while Monte served as Chairman. Bob followed his father in serving the automotive industry and community. Bob is a past President of the Southland Motor Car Dealers Association. He was on the National Sales Council for Dodge and served as the National President for two years. He was nominated as Time Magazine’s Dealer of the Year in 1998.

In 2000, Glenn E. Thomas Co. received the “Top Dealer Award” from Chrysler’s Zone Manager. In presenting the award, Glenn E. Thomas Co. was called, “the flagship of all Dodge dealerships”.

Today, Monte's son and grandsons, John and Brad Davis, continue to do business the way they were taught by the patriarch of the family.

We are the third largest volume Dodge dealership in California and are the oldest established Charger dealer in the country. We invite you to come to our dealership and experience doing business the Glenn E. Thomas way!

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Memorial Day Sales Event

Memorial Day Sales Event

All prices have been reduced!!

Get up to $16,000 off on brand new vehicles!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Blast from the Past



Excuse the watermark...we are working on it.

Tell us what you think of our commercials from the 80's!

Friday, May 15, 2009

car show


We recently hosted a car show for Unyque Auto Forums. We had over 50 cars at the dealership and went through over 250 hot dogs!!! This event was awesome! Customers brought in their customized cars and competed for Best Show Car.

Check out these hot rides.



1971 Challenger. Purchased from Glenn E Thomas Dodge.



Thanks to everyone who participated! We had a great time!

For more pictures and information click here.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

2009 Dodge Ram


Get prepared to enter the newly designed 2009 Dodge Ram. This truck is stacking up awards on the trophy shelf! Consumer Digest named the Ram 1500 a Best Buy. It won International Truck of Year and Car and Driver's Editor's Choice. It's no surprise when you consider all the Ram has to offer such as the RamBox Cargo Management System, rear in-floor and under-seat storage, and dual glove box. The new Ram has fuel saver mode which changes from 8 cylinders to 4 cylinders, 390 horsepower, and faster acceleration than both Ford and Chevy. Coil Spring Suspension gives you a smoother ride with less freeway hop! This Ram truly rides like a car.
The redesigned grill is nothing short of good-looking!

The new Ram offers TONS of cargo space

This floor storage box is awesome for acting as a cooler to store drinks on road trips

RamBox. Need I say more....this is genius!

Dual glove box


additional cupholder in the doors

Good looking interior


Mirrors fold in for when you're driving through tight space


You deserve this beast of a truck. Come in and check out our huge selection of Rams!