About Bob Penkhus Automotive in Colorado Springs

 A BRIEF GLANCE AT THE PAST The Penkhus Motor Company that you see today had its humble beginning back in 1951 when  Robert N. Penkhus moved his young family from Ames, Iowa, and opened a small used car operation in Colorado Springs.  New cars were added to the operation on Pikes Peak Avenue in 1957 when the Company became one of the first ten dealers in the United States to obtain a Volvo Franchise. In 1972 the Volvo Franchise was moved to a fledgling area of Colorado Springs called Motor City.

The combination of a quality product and a reputation for excellent customer service assured continued growth, including the addition of a Mazda franchise, in October 1972, at the Pikes Peak Avenue location.  In 1975, Mazda joined Volvo in Motor City to increase productivity and to better serve our customers. 

Mr. Penkhus' son, Robert A. Penkhus ("Bob"), was a "permanent fixture" around the dealership from an early age, so it was natural that he would join his father in the business upon his graduation from the University of Denver.  Bob Penkhus gradually assumed responsibility for all aspects of dealership operations and in 1977, became President of Penkhus Motor Company.  Mr. Penkhus' concerns for his customers and employees, coupled with his enthusiasm for our products, have resulted in continued success and growth.  Development of a new car display area along Interstate 25 in 1987 was followed one year later by a major service and parts expansion project in which we added fourteen mechanical and detail service stalls, doubled the parts area, and built an enclosed customer service area.  In the spring of 1999 our growth continued with the opening of our second Select Certified location and a Domestic and Import Service Center on Austin Bluffs Parkway.

With the growth of Colorado Springs, Penkhus Motor Company wanted to ensure that it was meeting customer needs.  In 2004 Penkhus Motor Company remodeled its Motor City location including constructing a new showroom and making other improvements at the Motor City location.  In 2006 Penkhus Motor Company constructed a new facility at Woodman and Powers, which is the Bob Penkhus Mazda at Powers store.

In 2009 Penkhus Motor Company acquired a Volkswagen franchise and opened the Volkswagen franchise at the Motor City Drive location.  In 2012 Penkhus Motor Company acquired a Mitsubishi franchise which is located at the Austin Bluffs Parkway Select Certified location.  That facility is now known as Bob Penkhus Mitsubishi.

As a result of our commitment to excellence, Bob Penkhus Mazda is the Number 1 volume dealer in the Gulf region.  Based on customer satisfaction levels, Bob Penkhus Motor Company has been recognized as a Volvo Dealer of Excellence and has been inducted into the Mazda Presidents Club.

Our continued success and growth requires each of our employees to possess a commitment to excellence toward each of our customers.  Each member of the Penkhus Motor Company team should strive daily to meet all Penkhus Motor Company standards and goals in order to ensure future growth and success.

Timeline of Events

1951   Robert N. Penkhus opens a store at 444 E. Pikes Peak Ave.

1957     Robert N. Penkhus obtains the Volvo Franchise becoming one of the first 10 Volvo dealers in the U.S.

1972    Volvo store moves to Motor City, an up-and-coming area of Colorado Springs

1973    Pikes Peak Avenue store adds Mazda, exciting new cars from Japan, to product line

1973     Penkhus Motor Company becomes Bob Penkhus Motor Company.

1975    Motor City location adds Volvo and Mazda cars to  help increase productivity.

1987    New car display area created along Interstate 25.

1988    Major service and parts expansion project adds 14 mechanical and detail service stalls, doubles                     the parts area, and builds an enclosed customer service area.

1999    Domestic and Import Service Ctr and second Select Certified location opened at Austin Bluffs.

2003    Motor City main dealership renovations begin.

2003    Penkhus' fourth facility, the "Corner Lot," is opened at the corner of Tejon St. and offers Used.

2005    Motor City main dealership has its grand re-opening.

2006    "Woodmen Powers" northeast facility is constructed and sells new Mazda vehicles             as well as several hundred pre-owned cars.

2007    The "Corner Lot" combines with the Motor City location.

2009    Bob Penkhus adds Volkswagen to its Motor City location.

2012    Bob Penkhus adds Mitsubishi to its Austin Bluffs location.

2016   Bob Penkhus is one of 50 dealers, nominated for the Time Dealer of the Year award!

 
 2020

 

We're thrilled to be named the 2022 Family Owned Small Business of the Year by Pikes Peak SBDC and the BBB of Southern Colorado! It's an honor to receive this award for doing what we love:  providing exceptional service to our customers and an unwavering commitment to serving our community.