Joe Machens Dealerships history

1973 To take advantage of the extra space in the building, the dealership expanded into the speedboat, trailer and motorhome business.

1977 The Body Shop building at 600 Bernadette was completed.

1979 As an attempt to gain additional sales during the energy crisis, the dealership began to sell mopeds and motor scooters.

1983 Gary Drewing joined the company as partner and General Manager.

1986 Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche were purchased from Riddick Motors on Old Highway 63 in Columbia.

1987 The main building on West Worley was expanded toward the street.

1989 The Honda dealership was purchased from Lee Thornton Honda in Jefferson City.

1992 Machens Automotive on Vandiver began selling used vehicles.

1994 A new storage lot for Ford inventory was added behind the Toyota building.

1997 The Ford building on West Worley, the Ford Truck Center on Bernadette and the Toyota-BMW-Isuzu building on Bernadette were remodeled to give a cleaner, more modern exterior appearance.

2004 Scion, a new brand from Toyota, was introduced at the Toyota store.

2006 Gary Drewing became sole owner of the dealerships after buying Dave Machens’ half of the company.

2008 Legend Automotive Group was purchased and renamed Joe Machens Automotive Group, offering new Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, and Pontiac vehicles.

2012 Construction is completed, and Joe Machens Volkswagen of Columbia opens in November and brings the Volkswagen brand back to Mid-Missouri.