Key-Royal Automotive Company began in 1965 with its first dealership in Jacksonville Florida. John Williamson, a Birmingham, Alabama native and former destroyer-escort skipper during WWII, had gone into the car business after leaving the Navy.
Mr. Williamson had an employee come to him, who expressed his desire to become a dealer also. A few years later, this particular employee did indeed become a dealer in New Orleans, La., and the Key-Royal automotive chain was begun.
All of the growth came from within, and each dealer had to compete with others vying for the coveted ownership goal. By 1973 there were 11 dealerships spawned in this manner, and in 1986, Glenn Wood came to Lynchburg, Va., to become the 21st Key-Royal dealer. Each of the stores is either named Key, or Royal, and the holding company in Birmingham set up by Mr. Williamson financed the growth of the chain.
Each dealer was required over time to buy out the stock of the dealership, and Glenn Wood did so in 1993. Royal Chevrolet Cadillac has been operating since 1997 in its current location. Wood has been in the automobile business since 1973, all with Key-Royal Automotive Company. Royal Chevrolet Cadillac in Lynchburg now has 85 employees, a complete service facility, parts, body shop operations and its newest addition, Royal XpressLube, a fast, convenient, and thorough quick service facility.
Here Is What Our Customers Had To Say:
Charlie Doss of Lynchburg: "Royal's been one of the best Service Departments I've been to in 36 states."
Carolyn Diemer of Lynchburg "Over the years, Due to Royal's excellent repair service, I purchased 3 new vehicles and my Husband has purchased 2. Their free shuttle service that takes us home and picks us up is one of the many reasons we rate their service department high."
Terry Lewis of Lynchburg "R.C. Gilliam, My service consultant, is excellent every time. He's a rarity in today’s world."
Mary Pitman of Lynchburg "They are excellent. I go there all the time."
Richard Petelchian of Lynchburg "Royal is very accommodating. I compared their service amenities to a larger dealership and Royal was better."
Patricia Hamilton "Royal is a great place to buy a car and get service."
Mike Vanhorne of Madison Heights "These guys are great, very pleasant, great attitudes and do a great job."
Thomas Gelhart of Lynchburg "These folks are pro's."
Gerald Forslund "I rate my service with the Royal as an "A" for excellence."
Cynthia Key of Amherst "I love my truck, so I give it the best at Royal Chevrolet."
Gail Harris of Charlotte Courthouse "I was very pleased with the attention given to my car and myself."
Jerry Cornelius of Communications International "This is the 3rd vehicle I've bought from Royal and their service staff is professional in all respects."
Doris Mitchell of Forest "R.C. Gilliam is as good as his work. I can definitely depend on him. He's great."
J.L. Tibbs of Bedford "This vehicle was taken to another dealership 3 times. Royal was finally able to find the problem that the other dealership couldn't."
George Hawkins of Lynchburg "R.C. Gilliam, Royal Service Consultant, is the best, he's the greatest. He deserves a big pat on the back."
Melody Eggleston of Forest "We love our Aurora and R.C., Royal's service consultant is top notch"
Ernest Winslow of Farmville "We like our 2001 Catera and are very happy with Royal and their staff. We will go to them for our next vehicle."
Barbara Wright of Lynchburg "This was my 2nd or 3rd time I've dealt with Royal, and like the previous times, they've been courteous, professional, very easy to deal with and they treat me like I'm their most important customer. I love dealing with Royal."
Richard Lyons of Thaxton "R.C. Gilliam is the finest Service Consultant I've had the privilege of working with in my life."
Norma Padgett of Forest "Royal is great people to do business with."
Peggy Wilson of Lynchburg "It's a pleasure to have someone to repair and service my vehicle who won't take advantage of me, and who does the job right the first time."
Mr. Williamson had an employee come to him, who expressed his desire to become a dealer also. A few years later, this particular employee did indeed become a dealer in New Orleans, La., and the Key-Royal automotive chain was begun.
All of the growth came from within, and each dealer had to compete with others vying for the coveted ownership goal. By 1973 there were 11 dealerships spawned in this manner, and in 1986, Glenn Wood came to Lynchburg, Va., to become the 21st Key-Royal dealer. Each of the stores is either named Key, or Royal, and the holding company in Birmingham set up by Mr. Williamson financed the growth of the chain.
Each dealer was required over time to buy out the stock of the dealership, and Glenn Wood did so in 1993. Royal Chevrolet Cadillac has been operating since 1997 in its current location. Wood has been in the automobile business since 1973, all with Key-Royal Automotive Company. Royal Chevrolet Cadillac in Lynchburg now has 85 employees, a complete service facility, parts, body shop operations and its newest addition, Royal XpressLube, a fast, convenient, and thorough quick service facility.
Here Is What Our Customers Had To Say:
Charlie Doss of Lynchburg: "Royal's been one of the best Service Departments I've been to in 36 states."
Carolyn Diemer of Lynchburg "Over the years, Due to Royal's excellent repair service, I purchased 3 new vehicles and my Husband has purchased 2. Their free shuttle service that takes us home and picks us up is one of the many reasons we rate their service department high."
Terry Lewis of Lynchburg "R.C. Gilliam, My service consultant, is excellent every time. He's a rarity in today’s world."
Mary Pitman of Lynchburg "They are excellent. I go there all the time."
Richard Petelchian of Lynchburg "Royal is very accommodating. I compared their service amenities to a larger dealership and Royal was better."
Patricia Hamilton "Royal is a great place to buy a car and get service."
Mike Vanhorne of Madison Heights "These guys are great, very pleasant, great attitudes and do a great job."
Thomas Gelhart of Lynchburg "These folks are pro's."
Gerald Forslund "I rate my service with the Royal as an "A" for excellence."
Cynthia Key of Amherst "I love my truck, so I give it the best at Royal Chevrolet."
Gail Harris of Charlotte Courthouse "I was very pleased with the attention given to my car and myself."
Jerry Cornelius of Communications International "This is the 3rd vehicle I've bought from Royal and their service staff is professional in all respects."
Doris Mitchell of Forest "R.C. Gilliam is as good as his work. I can definitely depend on him. He's great."
J.L. Tibbs of Bedford "This vehicle was taken to another dealership 3 times. Royal was finally able to find the problem that the other dealership couldn't."
George Hawkins of Lynchburg "R.C. Gilliam, Royal Service Consultant, is the best, he's the greatest. He deserves a big pat on the back."
Melody Eggleston of Forest "We love our Aurora and R.C., Royal's service consultant is top notch"
Ernest Winslow of Farmville "We like our 2001 Catera and are very happy with Royal and their staff. We will go to them for our next vehicle."
Barbara Wright of Lynchburg "This was my 2nd or 3rd time I've dealt with Royal, and like the previous times, they've been courteous, professional, very easy to deal with and they treat me like I'm their most important customer. I love dealing with Royal."
Richard Lyons of Thaxton "R.C. Gilliam is the finest Service Consultant I've had the privilege of working with in my life."
Norma Padgett of Forest "Royal is great people to do business with."
Peggy Wilson of Lynchburg "It's a pleasure to have someone to repair and service my vehicle who won't take advantage of me, and who does the job right the first time."
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