Chevrolet has had an illustrious history over the last century, and here at Duke Chevrolet GMC, your Chevrolet dealer in Suffolk, VA, we are proud to be a part of it. However, Chevy's path to success wasn't as simple as you might think. In fact, this American icon would never have existed if everything had gone as planned.
William C. Durant was a savvy businessman who knew that valuable lessons were often born in failure. This was certainly the case after Durant established General Motors and immediately made Henry Ford an offer to purchase the pioneering brand. Ford accepted Durant's offer of $2 million in cash and $4 million with interest over the next three years; however, the financial crisis of 1910 left Durant empty-handed as the bank denied him the loan.
Durant lost his position with General Motors but refused to settle for anything less than his dream. He teamed up with race car driver Louis Chevrolet to bring his vision to life–to build high-performance vehicles that were both reliable and affordable. The duo established the Chevrolet Motor Car Company in 1911 and, within a year, unveiled the Series C Classic Six. As Chevy's debut model, the Classic Six was truly remarkable and offered rare features like electric headlamps and an electric starter. This set the standard for Chevrolet's future in America.
Since the Classic Six, Chevrolet has established itself as a pioneer in the automotive industry. Often the first to adopt new technology, Chevrolet's position at the helm of innovation is undeniable when you look at engines like the small-block V8 that truly revolutionized the American landscape by making high-performance vehicles attainable to the masses. Innovations like these, along with icons like the Camaro and Corvette, best-sellers like the Tahoe and Suburban, and workhorses like the Silverado, are the backbone of the Chevy brand.
Duke Chevrolet GMC is your home for Chevrolet, a historic, long-lasting brand that has a coveted place on American roads. Like Chevrolet's history, our legacy is rich and starts with Ray Duke, who owned a gas station and trucking business in the 1940s. After lending his help to the war efforts by shipping ammunition and produce, Ray was hired at a local car dealership where he sold cars and eventually worked his way up in the company. By 1968, he purchased the dealership and renamed it "Duke Oldsmobile Cadillac;" the Duke legacy was born.
Ray welcomed his family into the business and saw the dealership flourish with the addition of Buick, Pontiac, GMC, and Chevrolet. His honesty and integrity in every aspect of the business set new standards in customer service and laid the foundation on which Duke Chevrolet GMC operates today. We're proud to say that we're still family-owned and family-operated with integrity and transparency at the heart of everything we do.
As a family-run dealership, we deliver a unique customer experience that reflects Ray's early vision for the company. That vision is one where the customer always comes first. Just as Ray took the time to get to know his customers, we're proud to do the same. We're here to build a meaningful relationship with you that lasts a lifetime because shopping with us means joining the Duke family.
When you think of Chevrolet, what models immediately come to mind? Do you think of spacious SUVs like the Tahoe and Suburban or versatile pickup trucks like the Silverado? For many die-hard Chevy fans, these models don't even make the list, and that's because there are so many popular models to choose from over the last century. So, where do we start?
The Impala got its start as part of the Bel Air family but earned a lineup of its own by the late 1950s. The sedan made a lasting impression with its batwing-like tailfins that instantly distinguished it from every other vehicle on the road. Inside, its plush interior, unique details like the contoured dash, and modern conveniences added to its attractiveness.
Making its debut in the early 1950s, the Corvette set a new benchmark for design with its second-generation Sting Ray. The Sting Ray ignited a new trend in the 1960s with its unique styling that included a short-lived split rear window. With bold lines and a powerful engine under the hood, it's no surprise why the Sting Ray remains one of Chevy's most popular models.
With Ford getting a head start in the muscle car segment with the Mustang, Chevy quickly responded with the Camaro. The first-generation Camaro's unique body style and multi-engine lineup made it incredibly popular, especially since drivers had over 75 builds to choose from. This, along with the Camaro's impressive power, sparked a longstanding rivalry with the Mustang and other pony cars with a need for speed. It also laid the foundation for what would become Chevy's all-time top-seller.
One of the most frivolous Chevys ever made but, not surprisingly, also one of the most popular is the Chevrolet SS. From the outside, the SS appeared to be a typical Chevy sedan but under the hood told an entirely different story with its V8 engine delivering jaw-dropping power. This power came at the cost of spaciousness and affordability, but it didn't stop power-hungry drivers with deep pockets from doing everything possible to get behind the wheel of this outrageously powerful sedan.
Just as Chevrolet set new standards for performance, reliability, and affordability in the automotive industry, we're here to raise the standards of customer service. To do that, we put you first in every aspect of our business. That starts by ensuring our team is wholly committed to honesty, integrity, and transparency. It also means hand-selecting our inventory to deliver a wide range of vehicles that meet a variety of budget and driving needs. Our goal is to give you the best selection possible.
We know that you have a lot of dealerships to choose from, and that's why, when you choose us, we go the extra mile to give you confidence in your choice and in your purchase. For example, you can shop from our GM Certified Pre-Owned inventory and know exactly what you're getting since every model must pass a 172-point comprehensive inspection for quality, performance, and operability. We'll even share the vehicle history report and every repair we completed before the vehicle was added to our inventory. When you add in our transparent pricing, this makes shopping for a new or pre-owned vehicle with us an easy decision.
From our extensive inventory to our transparent pricing, there are plenty of reasons to choose Duke Chevrolet GMC as your Chevrolet dealer in Suffolk, VA. You won't find any other dealership like ours and, if you ask us, being different is a good thing. Unlike many big-business dealerships, our family business is focused entirely on you and your needs. We treat you like family because when you shop with us, you are family, and that means putting your trust in us to handle all your automotive needs.
We know your time is valuable and that you work hard for your money, which is why we promise not to waste either. Our team is here to help you find the perfect Chevy for your budget and driving needs so that you can get in and out of our dealership as quickly as possible. Why? Because the less time you spend with us means more time doing what you love with the people you love and, as husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, that means a lot. So, what do you say? Are you ready to join the Duke Chevrolet GMC family?