Clinton / South Carolina / United States
Cooper Motor Company was founded in 1938 with $750 of borrowed investment by Lynn Cooper, Sr. as the only salesman and had an inventory of three automobiles. The Dodge and Plymouth franchised dealership was located in a two bay cotton warehouse on West Main Street in Clinton which is still family owned today. Lynn Cooper, Sr. started and maintained business through the Great Depression and World War II with honesty and integrity. His son followed those same business ethics. Cooper Motor Company began a second generation of business under Lynn Cooper, Jr. in 1956 and continued to grow business with the same business principles. During these years, Lynn Cooper Jr. added Clinton Ford in 1986 with his partner Bob Cason, and the Chrysler and Jeep lines to the Dodge dealership in 1998. Surviving the oil embargo of the 1970s and the recession of the early 1980s, Lynn Cooper, Jr. made it through with the same honesty and integrity. Now as a third generation family business, Cooper Motor Company continues to run strong with great employees and great customers. Today, Cooper Motor Company, run by Coopers grandson Lynn "Chip" Cooper III and partner Bob Cason, is one of up South Carolinas oldest dealerships and one of the countys best known family businesses. Today, Cooper Motor Company has a sales staff of six and an inventory of over 250 new and used cars. "Very few dealerships in this day and age have been in business 10 years, let alone 70-plus years, " says Chip Cooper. "I have a lot of pride in that and in continuing what my grandfather started and dad continued."Nowadays the family business is a forgotten practice. In the age of Wal-Mart, Lowes and Home Depot, the family business is often overlooked because they cant compete in advertising." Competition is fierce in the car business, but Chip has an idea for why Coopers has been able to survive into its third generation. "Most dealerships operate with high pressure, but we do things differently here. We try to a have a one-on-one experience between salesperson and customer. Weve built a relationship with our customers. We like to say when we sell a car, we havent created a customer, weve created a relationship. That is what has helped us succeed in business and survive the hard times. Those business ethics and the loyalty of our long time customers is the reason we have been in business since 1938." "We depend on customer loyalty". Its a small town. You wont survive in a small town unless you treat people right, " says Cason. "We know our customers. Theyre our neighbors. We go to church with them and see them socially." Word of mouth advertising has also helped the company generate up to 50 percent of its business from out-of-town customers. "I think make and model has a lot to do with the customer first looking at a vehicle, but theyve got to feel comfortable with where they are buying it from and know theyre going to be taken care of afterwards, " Chip said. "Weve been able to maintain a lot of customers because whether it is a Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep or finding that certain used vehicle, weve got a products in stock or the ability to compete with any dealership or any product out there." From new and used Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles to auto loans to OEM car parts, Cooper Motor Company really is your one-stop full service dealership. Our experienced staff has the experience and expertise to point you in the right direction, whether you need vehicle repair, financial assistance, a new car or anything else. Come and see our impressive dealership at 305 E Main St, or simply call us 877 ) 845-0576. We look forward to helping you!
