Allen Family Automotive Group

Allen Family Automotive Group
By Shelley T. Hudson

During the month of May, the Allen Family Automotive Group is celebrating its 64th anniversary. When Stanley Allen opened his dealership in Laguna Beach in 1947, he couldn’t have imagined the population explosion the sleepy little beach town and the surrounding areas would experience in the coming decades.

Stanley Allen spent 25 years in Laguna Beach raising his family in South Orange County and getting to know the people in the community. When his son, Dennis, joined the business and initiated a move to Laguna Niguel, the reaction was mixed. Laguna Niguel was considered a no man’s land in the early ’70’s, boasting not much beyond orange groves and a freeway exit. Dennis’ vision proved to be a good one, and shortly thereafter, Allen added GMC to its Oldsmobile and Cadillac product lines.

This year, Allen Automotive celebrates nearly 40 years in Laguna Niguel and operates with the same principles on which Stanley Allen built his reputation. His grandsons have all taken a turn at the helm; Scott and Mitch ran the dealership for many years before turning over General Manager duties to younger brother Cliff. Nephew Cameron has joined ranks in the Internet Department, leading the fourth generation of Allens into the next decade.

Although Cliff Allen is busy with a young family, including sons Mason and Cooper and one-month-old baby Chloe, he can rest easy—professionally, at least! The management team at Allen has hundreds of years of combined experience with the company—many started careers with Dennis Allen in the 1970’s. This level of dedication and loyalty is almost unheard of in the ever-changing auto industry.

“The backbone of our dealership is community involvement,” says Cliff Allen. He lists Dana Hills High, Mission Viejo High, JSerra, San Clemente High and Vista del Mar Elementary, as just some of the schools the dealership supports, along with many area sports teams. These efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. Allen was recently named Laguna Niguel’s “2010 Outstanding Business of the Year” and adds this honor to many other accolades, including OC Business Journal’s “Family-Owned Business of the Year.”

Allen has demonstrated a commitment to its brands as well, selling both Cadillac and GMC for decades. Cadillac, a luxury brand since inception, has developed into a performance name, with its CTS line and the V-Series. Allen has been one of the top Cadillac retailers for many years and has enjoyed success with the popularity of the Escalade and the newer fuel-efficient models like the SRX. GMC’s offering of mid-size and compact SUVs has also answered a call in the marketplace, being called “standards of industry” for their competitive fuel-efficiency.

The Allen Group expanded its family of brands in 2006 with the addition of Hyundai. Known previously in the market as a budget brand, Hyundai’s growth and improved design in recent years impressed the Allen family. The global development of Hyundai and its emphasis on quality and performance have made it attractive to consumers. When the Hyundai Genesis was named the 2009 North American Car of the Year, auto enthusiasts were intrigued. As awareness and excitement grew among industry insiders, so did the interest of the consumer. Now Allen is the fastest growing Hyundai dealership in the West. The roll-out of the highly anticipated 2011 Sonata has kept the push going. This mid-level sedan is sweeping up awards and winning over drivers at all levels.

The motto at Allen Family Automotive is “our family serving your family for over 60 years.” The commitment to the people in their local community backs up this promise. GM has awarded Allen the “Positive Impact Award for Service” for four consecutive years—an accomplishment no other dealer in the Western Region has achieved.

“The Allen Advantage” is the dealership’s promise to its customers and community. Come in and experience “The Allen Advantage” and help Allen Automotive celebrate its 64th year in business.

The Allen Advantage:
Consistent Excellence • Customer Care • Competitive Pricing • Customer Retention • Community Service • Commitment to Values

Allen Family Automotive Group
28332 Camino Capistrano • Laguna Niguel, CA • 949.485.3700 • AllenAutos.com