Continental Auto Group history

Chris Hirsh Mercedes-Benz of Austin: 7/26/1973

Jim, who keeps meticulous written records, still has his 1974 employee manual from Continental Cars, Inc. and remembers the exact day that the first Honda parts arrived at the dealership.

When Kent Liming was hired in 1977, he had a two-year-old son named Garrett who would join the dealership 20 years later.

In 1979 Continental purchased the European tire factories of Uniroyal, the United States firm that was beginning its retreat from the tire business.

An additional employee benefit is the annual Christmas bonus that began around 1980 when Mr.

In 1981 a contract was signed for Toyo Rubber Industry Co., Ltd. to manufacture Continental tires in Japan, and there was a similar agreement with General Tire in the United States in the following year.

Today these contributions by the company take the form of 100% company-paid health insurance, full dental coverage, as of 1984 – 401K matching, and other key benefits.

In 1985 Continental purchased the tire division of Semperit, the largest Austrian rubber firm, for DM 47 million.

Soon after Honda’s move in 1986, Mr.

Todd Hume Mercedes-Benz of Austin: 1/5/1987

Richard Galvan First Texas Honda: 8/22/1988

Sheri Gordon Mercedes-Benz of Austin: 2/14/1989

Wade Wells Mercedes-Benz of Austin: 4/19/1990

In May 1991 Horst Urban, Continental's chairman and an opponent of the Pirelli proposal, resigned--an apparent indication of a softening in Continental's attitude.

In 1993 Continental and General Tire entered a joint venture with Mexican manufacturer Carso to oversee the operations of four manufacturing plants and 1,000 sales outlets in that country.

Emilio Pardo First Texas Honda: 8/4/1994

In 1995, Continental completed construction of a new DM 180 million manufacturing plant in Lousado, Portugal.

In 1996, representatives from Subaru of America traveled from Denver, only to arrive in Texas during an exceedingly rare Austin snowstorm.

In 1997, Von Grunberg's goal was to realize 40 percent of Continental's tire production from such low-cost sites.

Stu Rosemurgy Mercedes-Benz of Austin: 6/9/1998

Jesse Rodriguez Mercedes-Benz of Austin: 1/19/1999

David Hilfer managed the operation that saw the parts department grow from a division of Continental Imports to its reputable position in 2001, as the 3rd largest wholesaler of Mercedes-Benz parts and the 9th largest wholesaler of Honda parts.

In 2002, weathering continued instability in the economic climate, Continental resumed broad restructuring, including widespread job cuts and plant closures.

In 2008, Austin Subaru moved into its new state-of-the-art facility on Huntland Drive.

In September 2012, First Texas Honda moved into their new home near Mopac at Steck Avenue and Shoal Creek Blvd.

After learning that our customers crave more out of our vehicles, CAG implemented Design & Accessory Consultants beginning in 2017 at Austin INFINITI, Austin Subaru, and First Texas Honda.