Karl Chevrolet founder, Carl Moyer, dies at 83
Carl Moyer founded Karl Chevrolet in Ankeny, Iowa, in 1978. The Karl Auto Group now has 10 companies and over 800 employees in Iowa. He died Sept. 28, 2024.
Moyer, who grew up on Des Moines' east side and dropped out of East High School in the 10th grade, got his start in business while working at a gas station near Lincoln High School, where he sold cars on the side.
At 19, he worked as a sales manager at a dealership in Cedar Falls. He returned to central Iowa and worked for dealerships in Winterset and West Des Moines before starting his own in Ankeny.
In 1978, Moyer bought out his brother to start Karl Chevrolet, then a one-car showroom in Ankeny.
"I didn't have an employee," Moyer told the Register in 2003, when he received the prestigious Jack Smith Presidential Award from Chevrolet. "I didn't have a car (to sell). I had a building with a Chevrolet sign."
Karl Chevrolet moved to its current location at the intersection of Oralabor Road and Delaware Avenue in 1983.
Moyer was meticulous about the grounds of the dealership, ensuring that the grounds were carefully maintained and that cars were perfectly lined up, according to a news release from the dealership announcing his death.
He also prioritized the customer, trademarking the phrase "your dealer for life."
That approach has kept the dealership in the top 3% of Chevrolet dealers, the company said. Karl Chevrolet also holds the record for being named the top certified used car dealership in General Motors 13 times.
Moyer grew the business significantly in the last eight-plus years, according to the news release. His auto group includes 10 companies and more than 800 employees across Iowa.
He earned a reputation for community involvement and donations. In 2018, Moyer provided a $1 million donation to Des Moines Area Community College to renovate and expand what is now known as the Karl Automotive Technology Center.
Other donations have included sponsoring the Kiwanis Miracle Park Project in Ankeny, Ankeny YMCA, Ankeny SummerFest and Variety—The Children's Charity of Iowa.
Moyer, who was 83, is survived by his wife, Penny, sons Brad and Bret and a daughter, Pam. A cause of death was not shared. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Original Article: desmoinesregister.com.
For more than two decades, the United States Racing Association has attracted more and more racetracks and dirt track racers each year through fair, logical and cost-effective rules accompanied by an organization that puts the racers, racetracks and their fans first. During the 2023 Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series, more than 60 of America's finest dirt ovals hosted more than 1,000 nights of racing.
To learn more about the USRA, check out USRAracing.com. Follow our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. To get USRA news and exclusive promotions delivered to your inbox, click here.
USRA competitors can register and purchase a license for the 2024 Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series online at USRAracing.com/Register or call (515) 832-6000 to register by phone. You can also download the application at USRAracing.com/Downloads and then submit your completed form by email at office@usraracing.com.
USRA OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Racer Racing Tires, Beyea Headers, Chevrolet Performance, Christie Door Company, Fast Shafts, FK Rod Ends, KSE Racing Products, Mesilla Valley Transportation, Nitroquest Media, PEM Racing Gears & Drivetrain, RacinDirt, Summit Racing Equipment, Sunoco Race Fuels.
USRA PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: ARMI Contractors, Boubin Tire & Automotive, Brodix Cylinder Heads, PBM Performance Products, YouDirt.com.
USRA CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, Allstar Performance, Bryke Racing, BSB Manufacturing, Champ Pans, Deatherage Racing Opticians, Edelbrock, Gorsuch Performance Solutions, Gunshepherd.com, Hyperco, Integra Racing Shocks & Springs, JE Pistons, Keyser Manufacturing, Landrum Performance Springs, MD3, MSD Performance, Performance Bodies & Parts, QA1, Quarter Master, QuickCar Racing Products, RacerWebsite.com, Real Racing Wheels, Rush RaceGear by Austin Witt, Sweet Manufacturing, Swift Springs, Sybesma Graphics, Total Power, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Wilwood Disc Brakes Day Motor Sports, KS Engineering.
No events are currently scheduled. Please check back later.
