After 77 years, Roe Automotive Making Changes

The Roe Family has been associated with the Buick brand for over 77 years. In 1948, after serving his country as a Lieutenant in the Marines in World War II stationed in Iwo Jima, and then working on the family farm in Canton, South Dakota, E.N. “Ev” Roe started in the automobile business in Norfolk.

In 1952, he and his wife Merlene moved the dealership to Grand Island and opened Roe Buick. Their son, Tim, then joined the dealership in 1978 where he is still active in the dealership today. In 2009, Tim’s son, Jason Roe, began operating Roe Buick Inc. after working for Gillman Automotive, a large dealership group in San Antonio, Texas, for three years. In 2014, Roe Chevrolet was born just down the road in Aurora and continues to expand its reach in the area. The Roe family has partnered with many franchises throughout the years including Opel, Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Isuzu; yet one thing has always remained constant and that is the Buick Brand.  

General Motors announced in June of 2022, through a direct dealer message that Buick would strictly be an EV lineup by 2030. Then, in 2023, GM began purchasing the Buick franchises back from dealers throughout the country. At that time, nearly half the Buick dealers then came to an agreement with GM to sell. The number has grown significantly after another round of buybacks took place before the end of 2024. Alongside the buybacks, there will not be any additional Buick dealerships added in the country going forward.    

“With the direction of the strictly EV Buick brand, along with the market conditions and knowing our customers’ needs and demands in this part of the country, the extremely difficult and emotional decision to sell the Buick franchise back to GM was made. Effective April 1, 2025, Roe Automotive Inc. will no longer have the Buick franchise,” said Jason Roe.   

“This does not mean Roe is going anywhere,” he said. “We will operate Roe Automotive Inc. at the Grand Island location and continue to provide the same excellent customer experience for Pre-Owned Sales as well as ALL of your service and parts needs. You will still see the same experienced Sales, Finance, Service and Parts professionals going forward and are always looking to grow our team. This decision will also help us expand our reach through potential new franchises and various opportunities going forward. One of those plans is to construct an addition to our Service Department at the Chevrolet dealership in Aurora.”      

Roe said the family business has been serving Grand Island and the Central Nebraska area for over 73 years and will continue to do so. 

“Born and raised in Grand Island, I am proud to call it home and raise my family here,” he said. “We truly value and appreciate all of our past, current and future customers. I am always at the dealerships and enjoy nothing more than visiting with all of you. Feel free to stop in and always say hello. We look forward to seeing you at Roe Automotive and Roe Chevrolet!”