Celebrating the Fourth of July is so much more than fireworks, food and fun.

It’s a simple expression of America’s deep-rooted history, a celebration of the United States’ independence.

Remember the Beginning

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. Originally separating from Great Britain on July 2, it took two days for Congress to revise and approve the Declaration. It was later declared a national holiday in 1941. Independence Day has come to mean so much since that day 233 years ago; it celebrates America as a whole.

The Fourth of July honors all things Americana.

The Backbone of America

An integral part of the American history is the emergence and uprise of its automobile industry, specifically General Motors. On September 16, 1908, William Durant incorporated Buick Motor Company to form General Motors in Flint, Mich.

A year later, GM went on to acquire other companies by purchasing Chevy and GMC. Chevy joined the GM family in 1918 and the first Chevy truck was sold. GM created GMAC to finance its trucks and cars one year later. In 1942, Chevy stopped production of civilian vehicles and became one of the most important single suppliers of the World War II effort. By 1954, GM’s market share had reached 54 percent of the U.S. automobile market and produced its 50-millionth vehicle, a 1955 Chevy Bel Air Sports Coupe.

This year, GM has recently reinvented itself to form a “New GM” to begin its plan of becoming America’s top car company again. A “New GM” to be built from only the strongest parts of GM’s business-award-winning vehicles, advanced green technologies and always making the customer a priority.

Todd Wenzel Automotive is honored and extremely excited to be a part of the “New GM.”

TW’s History & Secrets for Success

Though the TW Automotive family is located in West Michigan, it did not begin there. Wenzel was able to purchase a Chevrolet dealership in Portland, Maine and turn it into New England’s largest volume GM dealership. He also owned a Chevrolet Olds Cadillac dealership in Connecticut.

After selling his dealerships in New England, Wenzel set his sights on returning to his hometown and owning dealerships. Growing up in Wyoming and attending Kelloggsville High School, he had always planned to own a business in West Michigan.

“I was very enthusiastic about coming back to my hometown and buying a local dealership,” Wenzel said.

In 2001, he made the move and purchased Todd Wenzel Buick Pontiac GMC in Grand Rapids. Just four short years later he purchased the former Serra Chevrolet dealership in Hudsonville.

 The TW team knows what it takes to build a customer base.

“In my 25 years of being in this industry, there is one thing I have learned; times change, but the fundamentals do not,” Wenzel said.

According to Wenzel, focusing on the basics entails more of a relationship-building sales process that is solely focused on finding out exactly what the customers’ needs and wants are before even looking at a vehicle.

TW’s sales aren’t the only focus; providing great service is among them. Wenzel has an eye and ear for the customers.

Always seeking to please the customer, TW Automotive offers you coffee and Plasma TVs to entertain you while you receive your $19.95 oil change and free 26-point inspection. TW Automotive guarantees the best price on its vehicles, free service loaner, on-site service/body shop with certified ASE technicians and superb financing department.

“We are solely in the business of taking care of our customers,” he said.

The history of Todd Wenzel Automotive and GM is a part of America’s history.

From the evolution of the auto industry to the pursuit of the American dream of ownership, Todd Wenzel Automotive embodies all that the Declaration of Independence sought to achieve: freedom and success.