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echnology makes it easier for us to do a number of things, and this advantage is seen in Del Grande
Dealer Group (DGDG), now operating Vallejo’s Team dealerships located at 301 Auto Mall Parkway in
Vallejo. With high-tech software and iPads to come, DGDG makes car shopping a whole lot less stressful.

For those who have missed the news of the auto Most people have been there, spending countless
dealerships changing hands, longtime owner Ken (Kenny) hours trying to find the right car or just a functioning
Ross sold Team Superstores (Team Chevrolet, Team one in general. Some people even avoid dealerships
Cadillac, Team Mazda and Team Hyundai) to Shaun Del because of its stigma of overpaying, getting scammed,
Grande of DGDG in September. Ross spent a solid 23 dealing with lots of paperwork and information to
years privately owning them, with accomplishments such process, etc. However, to appease the often-dreaded
as recognition from General Motors and acknowledgment car purchasing process, DGDG uses technology as a
from the Mayor of Vallejo. When I met with the Vice 21st-century business. For example, because DGDG is
President of Vallejo’s Team dealerships, Michael Drinker, a Kelley Blue Book authorized buy center, their software
he told me about how he and Ross is directly connected with Kelley
knew Shaun Del Grande already. Blue Books (www.kbb.com) to
“Great people,” Drinker said. “Shaun ensure that customers are getting
Del Grande and his dad, Kevin, quality cars at fair prices. This and
are really really nice guys. Kenny other information can rapidly be
and I have known both of them communicated and transferred
for quite a few years, probably between not only other employees
over 10 years.” As such, changing at the Vallejo site, but also—if need
from Team to DGDG was clearly a be—employees at other DGDG
friendly business deal. In fact, Drinker dealerships (e.g. from their San Jose
told me that I had just missed Ross, site to that in Vallejo). Furthermore,
who was at the office helping with a smooth transition. so much time is saved because sales representatives
and service providers are soon to be using iPads.
Keeping a positive transition, nobody lost their job when Drinker said, “With iPads, my service providers are
the company changed to DGDG. DGDG is a family- going to be able to find out what the car needs in
owned organization with family values that carry over a way that is faster to then recommend services.”
to caring about their employees. Their dealerships,
for instance, have multiple kitchens and a gym that One of my favorite things that DGDG does, however,
employees can all use. So at DGDG, you can get your is that they offer to put all the customer’s copies of
workout done and cook it up in the kitchen after building paperwork on a complimentary USB-drive for them
up an appetite. All of that sounds like a sweet deal! to take. That idea is brilliant to me because too many
papers are overwhelming. Plus, papers get easily lost
Moreover, like Team Superstores and Ross’ giving spirit, and accumulate, taking up lots of space. All of these
DGDG’s mantra is all about helping the community by reasons and more are why DGDG is there to make our
getting involved in it. “We’ve always been involved with lives easier. Their goal is to get us in and out of there
the community. When Kenny owned us and we came happy because they value our time and patronage.
here in 1994, one of the first things we did is try to reach
out to the community and start to become part of it,” Need a car or some auto work done? I recommend
Drinker said. “That continues on with DGDG because making an appointment on DGDG’s website at
they are a family-owned organization really involved in www.dgdg.com, where they have all the sales numbers
the South Bay, and they want to do the same thing here.” listed at the bottom (depending on the car make you are
interested in). Service numbers are on the “Service Tab.”
Since DGDG is a larger company, its size allows Visit DGDG in person at 301 Auto Mall Parkway. Be
for more jobs in Vallejo and the local community. sure to follow DGDG on Facebook @DGDGBuyCenter.
Employees at the Vallejo dealerships now also have James Quinn lives in Benicia and teaches at Elmer Cave
more of an opportunity to move up, which is huge Language Academy in Vallejo. A UC Davis alumnus
in turning a job into a career in terms of employment in English, he now studies education as part of Touro
attraction and retention. Moreover, DGDG benefits University’s Master’s in Education program. Along with
teaching, he tutors and writes often. He is working on
the community by helping us purchase quality cars, a novel that takes place in Benicia. See his website at
both new and used, without the major headache. mrquinnj.weebly.com.
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