About Us

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John Kohl came to York, NE in 1978 to work for Paul Geis at Geis Motors in downtown York (Where Penner's Tire is currently located). John purchased the business from Paul over the next 5 years and changed the name to John Kohl Auto Center in 1983. In 1986 the business was moved to our current location at the I-80 interchange.

Ben Kohl moved from Seward with his mother to live with John in 1985 and attend York High School. Ben graduated from York in 1989 and played football and golf. Ben graduated from Wesleyan University in Lincoln with a Pre-Med degree in Biology and Psychology and played college football his senior year. Ben returned home after college to the family business to help his father with the dealership.

Carol Hogeland graduated from Hildreth in 1987 and played volleyball and basketball. Carol graduated from University of Nebraska at Kearney in 1992 with a degree in business and advertising.

How did Ben and Carol meet? Ben was working in the service department as a consultant when the phone rang on Friday May 13th, 1994. Carol was on the other end of the phone, her Chevrolet had stalled out in the McDonald's drive thru blocking traffic. Ben arrived to save the day and after her vehicle was repaired built up the courage to ask her out on a date. She agreed and the rest is history! Ben & Carol have been married since September 15, 1995.

Ben worked in every department of the dealership for his hands on education. He attended the Chevrolet Dealer Academy in Detroit for formal training from GM as well. Carol was brought into the dealership to handle Ben's duties as the F&I manager so Ben could transition to the sales manager. John Kohl eventually retired and turned the business over to Ben and Carol who handle all of the day to day business.

In 2016 we were happy to have Carol's sister join us at the dealership. Amy Kreft moved back to Nebraska from Kansas to help us out in the Service department. Welcome to the John Kohl Auto Center family sis! Lucky for us, she's is doing a great job running the service department and our customers absolutely love her.

Ben and Carol Kohl have been side by side in the dealership since 1995 learning and growing in the car business together. The building has overgone 2 GM renovations since then and the internet has really changed the way people shop for vehicles over the years. But you know that, if you're reading this now! Ben & Carol are committed to our employees and the customers dealership experience. John Kohl Auto Center Center has a well trained staff that cares about each other and our customers. We offer upfront discounted pricing, up to date facilities and an honest and friendly small town dealership experience. Thank you for reading this, we hope to see you whenever we can be of service to you and your family for all of your vehicle needs.