Local Dealer Group Celebrates 95 Years of Automotive Excellence and Community Commitment

Staff Report

Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024

Southern Motors Auto Group, a cornerstone of the Savannah automotive community since 1929, announces its 95th Anniversary Celebration. This historic occasion will take place on Saturday, October 26th, when all four Southern Motors dealerships will host events to commemorate nearly a century of exceptional service and unwavering commitment to its customers and the community.

“For the past 95 years, Southern Motors Auto Group has been more than just a business; it has been a pillar of the Savannah community” states Southern Motors co-owner Ross Kaminsky. “We’re so excited to be celebrating this anniversary and continue to build on our legacy of excellence and service.”

As part of the celebration, visitors to any of Southern Motors' dealerships - Honda, Acura, Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Springfield, and the newest CDJR location on Abercorn Street - will have the opportunity to register to win a grand prize of $9,500 cash along with other prizes, with the winner to be revealed on the day of the event. This special celebration is a way of thanking the community for their continued support and trust over the years.

Southern Motors has built its success on a foundation of family values, perennially earning them the prestigious title of ‘Best New & Used Car Dealer in Savannah’ by Savannah Magazine. Exhibiting a strong dedication to community involvement, Southern Motors demonstrates that its achievements are intrinsically tied to the well-being of its neighbors, like their ongoing support for Camp Aloha - a vital support system for children ages 6-17 who have experienced the loss of a loved one, offering them a safe space to grieve and heal.

Founded in 1929 by Julius Kaminsky, Southern Motors began as a small dealership in downtown Savannah on Broughton Street. Julius’s entrepreneurial spirit, paired with his deep commitment to hard work and family, allowed him to turn his small location into the thriving business it is today. Southern Motors' historic journey includes representing various manufacturers, from Nash to Rambler to Jeep making them the world’s oldest active Jeep dealer.

As the company expanded over the decades, Southern Motors became the first Honda franchisee in coastal Georgia and later introduced Acura to its line-up. The family’s commitment to growth continued with the addition of the Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram dealership in Springfield, GA, and in 2024 they added another Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram store on Abercorn Street to their portfolio. Now in the third generation of the Kaminsky family business, Adam and Ross Kaminsky actively manage the dealerships, ensuring that their grandfather’s values of quality, customer service, and community involvement are as vibrant today as they were when Julius founded the company.