Mat Raymond Jr. describes how this fourth-generation Ford dealership is making the buying experience a pleasant one.

Jacksonville is home to MCB Camp Lejeune and Sanders Ford, and as far as Mat Raymond Jr. is concerned, it’s a perfect match. “Many military bases are located in automobile towns, and that’s no coincidence. Young marines, soldiers, and navy personnel have a love affair with automobiles. All of them have steady income, and most of them are very credit worthy, so it works out well for both parties,” said Raymond, president and CEO of Sanders Ford, a fourth-generation family-owned dealership.

“Camp Lejeune has been here since the early 1940s, and we are as proud as we can be. The military community feels like part of our family.”

The company known today as Sanders Ford got its start in 1938. Raymond started with the company in the early 1970s working with his father-in-law, Bruce Downey, Jr. When Downey passed away in 1995, Raymond became a 50% owner with his brother-in-law, Bruce Downey III.

Raymond’s son, Mat Raymond III, began working with the company about eight years ago and will one day carry on the family legacy. “My son has a three-year-old boy, and we hope that some day he will also be in the business,” Raymond chuckled.

Mat Raymond Jr., President and CEO

“We support everything from the fire department to the school system. We feel that Jacksonville has been good to us, and we want to give back,” he said.

Positive experience
As Raymond pointed out, many people equate shopping for a car with going to the dentist, but Sanders Ford puts service above all else to make the shopping experience enjoyable—and maybe even a little fun. Every month, the company promotes a different product, from brand new pick-up trucks to pre-owned wagons and sedans.

The company also offers customer-centric programs, such as Gas Pass, in which customers enter into a drawing to win up to 500 gallons of gasoline. In addition, Sanders Ford rewards customers who alert friends and family to various promotions with $200 cash (pending a purchase from a registered referral).

“A lot of times, we’ll raffle, say, a flat screen plasma TV to people who test drive a car or give away hats. You have to be creative in this business. It is not about getting customers into our dealership—it’s about getting them to come back again and again,” said Raymond.

Raymond explained that delivering quality customer service isn’t as complex as one may expect. “We simply treat others the way we would like to be treated when shopping for a car.” To ensure its sales and customer service teams are following the golden rule, the company has implemented a training program that combines informational videos with classroom training provided by knowledgeable members of the Sanders Ford team. In addition, Sanders Ford has partnered with local Coastal Carolina Community College for additional expertise

“We also have a general sales manager, Cliff Renchen, who does an exceptional job motivating and training our sales people. When a salesperson hits a road block, he’ll find out what the problem is and work with that person to resolve it,” said Raymond.

What lies ahead
Raymond doesn’t see Sanders Ford ever moving outside of Jacksonville, but he does see a new facility in the near future. A boulevard and bypass has recently been built around the company’s location on Automobile Road, giving it greater visibility, “so we’re going to stay right here.”

Most likely, the new state-of-the-art facility will be built behind the existing building, which will later be torn down. “We like our location because we are the closest dealership to Camp Lejeune, where the largest percentage of our business comes from,” said Raymond.

When assessing the future of Sanders Ford in light of Ford Motor Company’s recent struggles, Raymond has faith the iconic American company will pull through with flying colors. “The American automobile industry has ups and downs, and Japanese manufacturers have made great inroads, but honestly, our products have never been better,” he said. In fact, the Ford F250 is the best selling pick-up truck in the world, and the new Taurus, which is replacing the 500, has been named the safest full-sized sedan in the US.

Sanders Ford’s sales consistently rank among the top 50 Ford dealerships in the Atlanta Region, which includes Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. “Ford is not going anywhere. It is a strong company with great new leadership, and we are excited for what lies ahead.”