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In 1971, the Old Pueblo Ford dealership at the corner of Wilmot  and 22nd was purchased by a young Jim Click Jr. who had just moved to Tucson from Los Angeles.
Click immediately changed the name of the dealership to Jim Click Ford and simultaneously launched a massive advertising campaign, resulting in double the sales volume for the dealership. At age 27, Jim Click became one of the youngest automotive dealers in the country.
This was only the beginning of Jim Click Automotive dealerships and franchises in the Tucson region. There are currently seven dealerships in the Tucson area and one dealership in Green Valley. Jim Click Automotive reports employment of 1,029 people.
And now 35 years later, the corner of 22nd and Wilmot in Tucson looks quite different than it did in 1971. Run by nearly 300 employees, a brand new Jim Click Ford Lincoln Mercury dealership now operates where Old Pueblo Ford once called home. The new dealership boasts 8 acres of land including a 100,000 square foot showroom featuring sales and service under one roof.
In 2005 Jim Click Automotive reported annual sales of $517 million with the sale of 17,700 new and used cars and trucks. For 2006 the company is reporting sales of $550 million with 18,700 new and used cars and trucks sold as of December 2006.
“Everything that we have is a result of the success of Tucson – we are really grateful to this community,” he said.
Jim also credits the local workforce for the continuing growth and success of the company.
“We’ve been blessed with great people in Tucson,” said Jim. “We’ve been tremendously successful by growing within our community. Every one of our people started from the bottom and moved their way up.”
Not only has Jim Click Automotive made a significant presence in the business community, the company also gives back through a variety of philanthropic efforts.
In 1999 Click received a President’s Award from Bill Clinton for his leadership in the development of LINKAGES, a non-profit organization that finds employment opportunities for disabled people.
In 2005, the Jim Click Automotive Team donated $100,000 in scholarships to students pursuing automotive technology education at Pima Community College.
And in the spring of 2006 Jim Click began working with Rwanda President Paul Kagame to promote economic and social development in Rwanda. Jim visited the country and purchased nearly 10,000 pounds of superior 100% Rwandan “bourbon” coffee which is being promoted at Jim Click Automotive dealerships. Also, Jim and local businessman and photographer David Lovitt have worked together to produce a limited-edition gift calendar featuring photos from Jim’s trip to Rwanda. Sales from the coffee and calendars go to help the Rwanda community in building schools and making home improvements. In addition, Jim has committed to promoting awareness of the plight of silverback gorillas and supporting ethical, sustainable farming practices in Rwanda.
With an endless amount of business and philanthropic opportunities, the future looks bright for Jim Click Automotive.
“Our marketplace (Tucson) is going to continue to grow and our company will continue to grow with it,” said Jim.
For more information on Jim Click Automotive, visit www.jimclick.com.
Photo courtesy Jim Click Automotive.
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