Family steers Diehl Ford through 100 years: four generations see dealership through floods, fires, war, Great Depression

Bellingham Business Journal, June, 2008 by Lance Henderson

Diehl Ford: The Next Generation

What does Diehl Ford's future hold?

Bob said people will always need to either buy new transportation or fix what they already have.

"What that is going to look like, I don't know, but we are going to be here to provide it and when it breaks down--we'll be here to fix it."

Both Bob and Mike expressed excitement about Ford Motor Company's future with Alan Mulally at the helm.

"There's a lot of great buzz surrounding Ford right now," Mike said.

Mulally said Henry Ford's vision was to have Ford dealerships in every country with the ability to sell cars to each national consumer base, which has led to an emphasis on trucks and SUVs in the United States and smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles abroad. Now, Mulally is bringing some of the more fuel-efficient models to the United States.

"If you are a consumer concerned with sustainability and the environment, this is a really exciting time because your local Ford dealership is going to start carrying something for everyone."

In 2002, Mike Diehl was named the Ford franchise's successor and will take the business into the thick of the 21st century. He said planning for the future is already in the back of his mind.

"I'm sure when my dad took over it was in the back of his mind, too: 'How do we improve this, so (the next generation) can take it over?'" Mike said. "I think of that all the time. But again, I think it will be very important for all of my kids to go out and do something else."

Mike has four children: three sons, ages 12, 10 and 8, and a daughter who is 5.

"I always say, jokingly, that my daughter will be the one that takes it over because her brothers will be too busy bickering amongst themselves," Mike said. "But right now they want to be professional soccer players. They are way too young to be focused on working here."

Birthday celebration

On June 7 at 1820 James St. the dealership will host a free, public celebration from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. including an antique car show, dealership tours, clowns, live music, food and a special appearance by Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally.

1903    Ford Motor Co. founded by Henry Ford.

1908    Hugh W. Diehl and Charlie Simpson take over Ford dealership
        from Charles Stanbra, calling it Diehl and Simpson.

1917    Dealership feels the effect of WWI, with many of its men
1919    called to service.

1922    Hugh Diehl purchases Charlie Simpson's interest in the
        business, and the name changes to Diehl Motor Company, Inc.

1928    Model A makes its debut. People wait in line even before the
        dealership opens at 8 a.m. to see the new car. By the end of
        the first day, 13,593 people come to view it.

1929    Diehl weathers the Great Depression through good management,
1939    but, many cars are sold, and it's a decade later before
        losses of that period are finally recouped.

1942    Auto production stops due to WWII. With no new cars and few
1945    used cars available, the dealership turns its attention to
        service.

1948    Dealership destroyed by arson. Dealership moves to temporary
        quarters on Railroad Avenue.

1949    Completely remodeled facility opens at the corner of Cornwall
        and Champion.

1951    Robert H. Diehl, Hugh's son, becomes company president.

1970    The company moves to its current location at 1820 James St. and
        changes its name to Diehl Ford.

1974    The shutoff of oil supply from Arabian countries causes a 19
        percent decline in new car sales and total volume drops from
        494 vehicles sold in 1973 to 299 in 1974.

1979    Double digit inflation, gas shortages and skyrocketing
1980    interest rates take toll on industry. Diehl's sales fall 20
        percent.
1980    Robert C. (Bob) Diehl, Robert H.'s son, becomes company
        president.

1980    The dealership suffers major flooding when torrential rains
        cause landslides and flooding in the Lake Whatcom watershed.
        The lake pours water into Whatcom Creek, causing major
        flooding in the Iowa Street neighborhood.

2002    Mike Diehl, Bob's son, was named nominee successor on the Ford
        franchise.

2006    Mike Diehl is named General Sales Manager.

2007    Bob Diehl is named Dealer of the Year by the Washington State
        Dealers Association.

2008    Diehl Ford celebrates its 100th birthday. Diehl Ford is the
        third oldest auto dealership in the country. Only two others
        are older. Tenvoorde Ford in St. Cloud, Minn., founded in
        1903; and Manley Motor Sales Co. in Belverdere, Ill., founded
        in 1906.