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Sir Walter Chevrolet
By G. CLEVELAND KILGORE 919 Magazine Writer
Providing the Best Complete Automotive Experience in Raleigh Since Sir Walter Chevrolet opened its doors in Raleigh in 1928, the priorities were always creating a family atmosphere, being involved with community, and providing excellent customer service. Today, those efforts translate into Sir Walter being the number one volume Chevrolet dealer in North Carolina – and the recipient of the Chevrolet Mark of Excellence Dealer award for providing superior customer service. “We are almost one-of-a-kind, in that we are single-point automobile franchise operating at a big volume level in a world where large – even publicly traded – dealership groups dominate the market,” said Sir Walter General Manager Matt Birckhead. “The ownership family is here everyday and in on every decision.” When the award-winning dealership began in downtown Raleigh 91 years ago, Frank R. Anderson Sr. was the Dealer Principal. “Frank was a keen businessman and had an affinity for automobiles, so when Chevrolet approached him about opening up a franchise in Raleigh it was certainly a dream come true,” according to Birckhead. “His philosophy of creating a family atmosphere for both employees and customers still rings true today, as Sir Walter is one of the longest running single-roof automobile franchises in the U.S.!” 36
Today, George Anderson is the 3rd generation owner at Sir Walter. A graduate of North Carolina State, he spent his entire life around the family business and became the Dealer in 1990. He served as the President of the North Carolina Automobile Dealer’s Association and involved as a board member for many local charities and businesses. Described as the consummate gentleman, and dedicated to his hometown of Raleigh and his family (he has two daughters and four grandchildren all in Raleigh), George found himself in 2012 as the sole-family member working in the dealership (when his eldest daughter left Sir Walter to focus on a newborn daughter (and subsequent son). That was something new to him, but -- as luck would have it -- the following year, his youngest daughter Caroline and her husband, Matt Birckhead, decided to move back to Raleigh from Northern Virginia. George talked his son-in-law into coming aboard Sir Walter in 2013. With that, the dealership’s long success record has continued. “We truly embrace our family-owned, local small business mantra in a market where large dealership groups seem to be the new normal,” Birckhead said. “As a single-point
‘At Sir Walter Chevrolet, we strive to provide the best complete automotive experience in the industry…’ MATT BIRCKHEAD Sir Walter Chevrolet
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Holiday 2019
