Ken Garff acquires Nate Wade Subaru

Two well-known Utah car dealer names have joined forces.

Salt Lake City-based Ken Garff Automotive Group has purchased Nate Wade Subaru, also based in the capital city.

The acquisition represents the first Subaru retailer in the Ken Garff family of dealerships and will operate as Nate Wade Subaru, a Ken Garff Retailer, at its location on South Main Street in Salt Lake City.{mprestriction ids="1,3"}

“We are honored to welcome Nate Wade Subaru into the Ken Garff family,” said John Garff, CEO of Ken Garff Enterprises, parent company of Ken Garff Automotive Group. “Kirk Schneider’s vision has made Nate Wade Subaru an outstanding retailer that is well-respected in the community and aligns perfectly with our brand and commitment to Utah.”

Nate Wade Subaru has operated in Salt Lake City since 1969.

“There’s no one we’d rather join than Ken Garff,” said Schneider, owner of Nate Wade Subaru, America’s oldest Subaru retailer. “Our values match, our vehicles are top of the line and our people are the best in the business, always working to make the finest situation for customers. Those are the things we will continue to provide.”

With the sale, Schneider will remain at Nate Wade Subaru as Ken Garff’s vice president of partner relations, continuing to serve on the boards of the New Car Dealers of Utah, the National Auto Dealers Association and the Utah Motor Vehicle Advisory Board, among others.

“Continuing the Nate Wade Subaru legacy is a high priority,” said Brett Hopkins, Ken Garff Automotive Group CEO. “With both companies having successfully served Utahns for over 150 years combined, we have built our business on quality, service and the value of giving back to the community to make a difference.” 

Like Ken Garff’s “We’re ‘Hear’ for You” and “Success in Education” programs, Nate Wade Subaru has provided ongoing outreach through supporting Utah Honor Flight, Make-A-Wish Utah, the Inclusion Center of Utah and many more.

“Serving and honoring our neighbors is part of who we are,” said Schneider. “Helping make our communities better is the right thing to do, and I’m glad such programs will continue.”

“For over 90 years, Ken Garff has built a brand centered on listening and helping customers,” said Hopkins. “Joining with a company that is the caliber of Nate Wade could not be a more perfect fit because we share values of treating people right through respect, integrity, growth, humility and teamwork.”

Hopkins said Ken Garff has no plans to lay off any employees. “We anticipate adding positions to handle the growth we’re experiencing as more Utahns buy vehicles this year,” said Hopkins.

Founded in 1932 by Ken Garff, the company operates 62 stores throughout Utah, Texas, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, California, Arizona, Colorado and Wyoming, with over 5,000 employees and more than 25 vehicle brands

Nate Wade Subaru was founded by Nate Wade in 1953 and joined with M. Russell Ballard at Ballard Motors in 1956. In the 1970s, Wade bought Ballard Wade Subaru and named it Nate Wade Subaru. Schneider started with Nate Wade in 1984 and in 1995, he purchased the dealership.{/mprestriction}