Grappone sold its Toyota and Hyundai franchises. Why?

About three years ago, in August of 2022, my father Bob Grappone let me know that he wanted to sell the family business and fully retire. I wasn’t prepared for that conversation, as I had spent about 25 years at that point in the industry, most of it with Grappone Automotive. Since some time in my 20s, my imagined future career has always been with Grappone. Selling any part of the business didn’t make any sense to me. This is the company my great-grandparents founded in 1924, and I spent a couple of years researching and writing about their true American dream story (the book is called Grappone Automotive: The Founding). Knowing how much of themselves they poured into starting our family business – and what ensuing generations had to do to keep it running – is an inspiration to me. We’ve weathered some of the world’s most famous historical events, and partnered with some of the best known auto manufacturers in the world. We’ve earned a reputation for fairness and honesty, things not always readily available when it comes to car sales and service. Ours is a family business worth protecting.

Ultimately, my dad and I agreed that in order for him to realize his retirement goals, and for me to carry on the business on my own, we would have to sell part of the company. After 101 years, I am the last Grappone in the business, and keeping it in the family is very important to me. As long as I feel that there is another family member in the next generation to carry on the tradition of serving New Hampshire’s automotive needs, I’m going to do what I can to lead our team into the future.

A 1972 Grappone Toyota ad from the Concord Monitor – my Uncle Al is second from the left

And so the decision was made: we would sell Hyundai, because the manufacturer was requiring a new building that wasn’t in our budget (an attempt to renovate the existing building wasn’t approved); and we would sell Toyota, because it was worth the most and would allow me to more easily buy out my father’s majority share of our Honda and Ford franchises. I should note that I bought him out of the Mazda franchise back in 2022, so I am now the sole owner of Grappone Ford, Grappone Honda, and Grappone Mazda. 

Business owners know how challenging it can be to keep up with consumer demand while taking great care of your team, or what it’s like to weigh and balance passing on ever-rising costs to the people who are loyal to you. If you’re in a family business, you know that there can be additional dynamics layered on top of the day-to-day operation. Ultimately, knowing what matters and clearly stating my expectations to our team is the best way I can lead Grappone Automotive into our next 100 years. 

So what matters? 

• Our mission. The mission of Grappone Automotive is to build lifelong relationships with team members, guests, and our community by serving with integrity, kindness, and respect. 
• Honesty. Knowing that what we say is what we mean makes our team and guests feel confident in their interactions with us.
• Kindness. A little bit of kindness goes a long way. It’s free, and makes the world a better place, so I want it to be our default setting at Grappone.

The team at Grappone Automotive in Concord, and Bow, NH looks forward to seeing you in the showrooms and shops. Year 101, here we are!