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A Legacy Built From the Ground Up

From the Ground Up

The story of the Rohrman Automotive Group begins the way the best stories always do — with very little money, a whole lot of determination and hard work, and a very charismatic leader.

A Log Cabin

Our founder, Robert V. Rohrman, was born on April 18, 1933, in a log cabin with a dirt floor in Palatine, IL. Yes, a dirt floor. Bob was the ninth of eleven children, and his early years were humble. As a teenager, he worked at the Brown Rubber Company in Palatine to put himself through school — attending Lafayette Jefferson High School classes after working the 3rd shift all night. Bob graduated from Lafayette Jeff in 1952 and would later be inducted into Jefferson High School's Alumni Hall of Fame — one of only 57 honorees among more than 44,000 alumni. After graduation and a term in the United States Army, Bob returned to Palatine and took a job as a used car sales associate at Arlington Acura in Palatine. His natural ability to connect with people shone through immediately — he quickly became the number one salesperson at Pittman and was soon promoted to Sales Manager. Bob was really good at selling cars, but he also saw there was no more upward mobility working for someone else. He knew he had to change something.

Robert V. Rohrman

1933

The Beginning

The First Lot

Building Something of His Own

In 1963, Bob opened his own used car lot on Sagamore Parkway in Lafayette. It was a modest start, but he built it on a foundation that has never changed: if you fall in love with your customer, they'll love you right back. His reputation quickly grew for honest dealing, genuine customer service, and a commitment to every person who walked through the door.

By 1969, that reputation had earned him his first new car franchise. A still-emerging Japanese automaker named Toyota came knocking with an opportunity. Bob said yes — and that handshake with Toyota would prove to be one of the most consequential decisions in the auto group's history.

1963 – 1969

Dealerships

Our franchises include Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Acura, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Ford, and more.

1.4K

Employees

60+ Years

Over Six Decades of Growth

Over the next six decades, the Bob Rohrman Auto Group grew from a single used car lot into one of the largest family-owned dealership groups in the United States. The group expanded from its Lafayette roots into Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Chicagoland, and Kenosha.

Today, the Rohrman Automotive Group operates 20 franchise new car dealerships with more than 1,400 employees . Over the lifetime of the company, an estimated one million or more vehicles have been sold to families around the Midwest. The group has been recognized by Automotive News as one of the largest family-owned dealership groups in the country.

Bob Rohrman peacefully passed away of natural causes at the age of 87 in September 2020, but his legacy lives on as a multi-generational family-owned business — now led by his grandson, Ryan. Under Ryan's leadership, the automotive group is not just surviving; it's thriving and setting the standard for what a modern car dealership group can be. The Arlington Acura in Palatine has never lost sight of what made it great. Bob started with a belief that every customer deserves to be treated with respect — and that a dealership should be a place where people feel welcome, not pressured. That belief is still the foundation of every store in the group.

Still Family. Still Here.

A Multi-Generational Family Business

Yes, we've come a long way. We've expanded our brands and reached more community members, selling and servicing more cars than ever before. But we're still a family business, committed to the same ethical standards Bob Rohrman built his reputation on more than sixty years ago.

A Look Inside the Group

Across every location, you'll find the same welcoming atmosphere, knowledgeable staff, and commitment to an outstanding customer experience.

Our Locations

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Our History | Rohrman Auto Group