Edward Davis, First Black Auto Dealer, Honored In Detroit

Jet, Feb 1, 1999

Auto pioneer Edward Davis, the first Black to own an automotive dealership, was recently saluted during a gala luncheon tribute in Detroit.

The tribute at the Cobo Conference/Exhibition Center was sponsored by African Americans On Wheels (AAOW) magazine and the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers (NAMAD).

African Americans On Wheels also held its annual Urban Wheel Awards on the same night of the Davis tribute and honored other auto industry professionals and companies.

"Ed Davis fought to realize his dream of owning a dealership at a time when African Americans were shut out of management in the industry," said Randi Payton, publisher of AAOW. "In his first sales position, he wasn't even allowed on the showroom floor, but that didn't stop him from succeeding. He looked at something others thought was impossible, and made it happen."

Davis, 87, started in the auto business as a car salesman in 1937. Because he was Black, Davis was not permitted in the auto showroom and was forced to meet prospective customers in a converted second floor supply room.

Undaunted by the racist act, he went on to sell more cars than any of the White salesmen.

The determined pioneer went on to become the first Black car dealer in 1940 when he opened a Studebaker dealership in Detroit. He stayed with Studebaker until 1956, when the carmaker went out of business.

He continued to make history in 1963 when he opened a Chrysler showroom in Detroit, becoming the first Black in the country with a Big Three franchise.

"The policy had been set that Chrysler Corporation was going to appoint dealers who qualified, regardless of their color," Davis wrote in his book, One Man's Way.

Davis, the only Black inductee in the Automotive Hall of Fame, retired from Chrysler in 1971.

Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer issued a proclamation declaring the tribute day as "Ed Davis Day" and praised him as "a living example that through hard work and determination, no dream is beyond reach."

The Edward Davis Scholarship Fund was also established during the tribute to support Black students interested in the automotive field.

Davis advised young people seeking success to first accept responsibility and also attend church.

He also reflected on the obstacles he faced as the first Black dealer: "It was tough. Banks wouldn't loan you any money, and sometimes it was hard to get people to work for you."