Bud Clary and Bud Westby purchased the Chevrolet dealership from Ralph Masterson in 1959. It was located on auto row on Vandercook Way. A year later, Bud Clary bought out Bud Westby and operated the dealership until 1967 when a new facility at 1030 Commerce Avenue was constructed.
Bud Clary retired in 1979 and Jim Clary took over as owner-operator. The Oldsmobile, Cadillac, Subaru, AMC, Jeep dealership was purchased from Ivan Thornley in October 1985. At that time, 6,000 square feet of offices and showroom were added to the Chevrolet Store on Commerce Avenue so Oldsmobile and Cadillac could move into that location. In 1986 an additional 1,000 square feet was added for used car offices and a service reception area.
In 1987 a lot on 12th Avenue was purchased for employee parking but was soon converted to the new and used car departments' "bullpen" and an indoor employee basketball court. Also in 1987, the Stephens Datsun facilities, across the street on Commerce Avenue, was purchased. In 1988 the Subaru and Jeep sales department moved to this location. Their service and parts departments were combined with the existing service and parts department at 1030 Commerce Avenue.
In 1995 the 12,000 square foot building at the north end of Commerce Avenue, was purchased and renovated into a new state-of-the-art body shop. The new facility, which includes three down draft paint booths, indicates the dealership's total commitment to body and paint repair in Longview.
After several successful "off-site" sales promotions the decision was made to open a satellite sales facility to maintain dominance in the marketplace. In keeping with the progressive philosophy of the dealership this remote sales location is the first of it's kind in Southwest Washington. In 1999 property was purchased at 40th and Ocean Beach Highway and construction began on the new Bud Clary West showroom and sales location. This location was opened for business in May 2000 as a GM satellite and Used car sales facility. Then in November 2004 it became Bud Clary Suzuki with the addition of our 6th new car franchise.
Through the years, growth in the dealership had increased the number of employees from 15 to as many as 120. The growth and expansion of this corporation has been due to the fine quality of employees throughout the years. Because of this stability, we are sure that we are going to have steady growth in the future and maintain dominance in the automobile industry in the Longview, Kelso area.
Bud Clary Automotive
1030 Commerce Ave.
Longview, WA 98632
e-mail: sales@budclary.com
