Star Dealer
Lokey Motor Company – Clearwater, Florida
Article by Penelope Daskalos & Scott Suits
The Lokey Motor Company is one of the few remaining family-owned and operated dealerships in the area. The firm was founded in 1952 by Earle Lokey and established as Lokey Oldsmobile on Cleveland Street in downtown Clearwater, Florida – locals may remember seeing a Piper airplane for sale among the Sunbeam models. At that time, one salesman, four service technicians and Lokey proudly ran the company, which he built on the pillars of providing outstanding customer care and old-fashioned American values.
More than a few people called Lokey crazy for buying property in the middle of orange groves in 1959. He proudly opened Lokey Motor Co. on Gulf to Bay Boulevard. The year 1965 marked the beginning of Mercedes-Benz of North America and Lokey Motor Co. acquired the first Mercedes-Benz franchise in the state of Florida in 1966. In a formal ceremony with Clearwater’s Mayor H. Everett Hougen, Lokey broke ground for a new facility in 1969 on Gulf to Bay Boulevard. As the staff increased, the company’s core values remained. The mission statement adopted then rings true today: “To provide the Tampa Bay community with the highest quality in automotive sales, service and financing. Ensuring long-term profitability through customer satisfaction and employee satisfaction.”
The Lokey reputation has withstood ever-changing times. Lokey’s son, Philip Lokey, worked his way to sales manager in 1979 and then took over as president in 1986 just before his father’s passing. The dealership moved to its current location at 19820 U.S. Highway 19 N, still in Clearwater, in 1984. The smart center Clearwater sold its first smart car in 2008, and in 2011, the dealership was transformed into a state-of-the art facility – Autohaus style.
The dealership displays one of each Mercedes-Benz models in the climate-controlled space. As of 2013, Lokey is the area’s prestigious AMG Performance Center, complete with the AMG private showcase.
Lokey Motor Company has dedicated Mercedes-Benz sales associates and service technicians with product training direct from Germany. Customers are encouraged to linger and stroll through the showroom with the friendly staff available to answer any questions, raise a hood or arrange test-drives on any vehicle. Or customers can “build” their own next new Mercedes-Benz on a virtual digital display.
Customers can also feel confident buying a pre-owned vehicle, certain that Certified Pre-Owned requirements are met and exceeded, offering the best possible vehicle at a reasonable price and factory-backed confidence.
From the complimentary loaner vehicles, personal vehicle delivery, valet service and its popular refer-a-friend program, Lokey Motor Company has remained a thriving dealership embracing the principles of the past 61 years, with added perks. Customers can get a manicure while waiting in the service lounge, view the technicians in the shop on a big screen TV, or use the free Wi-Fi Internet. Lokey is known for excellent service and a friendly atmosphere as a recognized leader in the industry, and the Lokey Wall of Fame recognizes its regular clients with a commemorative plaque.
Currently, Lokey Motor Company has more than 130 employees who carry on the traditions started in 1952. In fact, one of the current service technicians is the son of one of the original employees, and just celebrated his own 35-year anniversary with the company.
The company’s strong traditions and values are a backbone to community involvement and service. As the proud sponsor of MBCA Tampa Bay Section’s Charity Road Rally for Hope Children’s Home, Lokey Motor Co. has raised more than $5,000. The home houses and educates boys and girls who are classified as “throw-away children.” Up to 85 children age 18 months to 18 years benefit from sponsors such as Lokey.
But the greatest measure of any business is the staff’s reputation as being considerate to customers. At Lokey Motor Company, loyal customers say that their experiences are the “best of the best.” The dealership sponsors an annual complex-wide not-to-be-missed customer holiday extravaganza in December, hosts events for the Tampa Bay Business Journal, and opens the showroom for benefit movie-premier parties.
The relationship between Lokey Motor Company and the Tampa Bay Section has spanned many years. From technical sessions in the service area, Oktoberfest celebrations to section board meetings and road rally starts, MBCA members are always welcomed at the dealership and recognized for their enthusiasm and loyalty to the Mercedes-Benz brand.
The company has long offered discounts to MBCA members on genuine Mercedes-Benz parts and labor and the sales department reminds customers about MBCA membership and the special discounts available to members toward the purchase or lease of a new vehicle. Sales representatives ask every new Mercedes-Benz owner if they’d like to become an MBCA member.
As MBCA members and Mercedes-Benz owners, we are lucky to have the dealership committed to infusing stability in our community. From Philip Lokey and the entire staff, the sentiment is, “We are ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen.”