About Us
History of LaFontaine Automotive Group
LaFontaine Automotive Group has been owned and operated by Michael T. and Maureen LaFontaine for over 25 years. Their vision to grow the LaFontaine Automotive Group started in 1980 with LaFontaine Toyota in Dearborn, MI. That location now accommodates not only the Toyota brand but Honda, KIA, Suzuki, Scion, Hyundai and of course a large selection Mr. LaFontaine’s passion for quality Pre-owned vehicles.
Michael T. and Maureen purchased the Pontiac Cadillac GMC store, which was located in Milford, MI from the Lee Osborn Family in 1984.
In early 1987, they opened a Pre-owned Vehicle Location in Highland, MI which turned into the home of LaFontaine Buick Pontiac GMC and Cadillac that included two Pre-owned locations in Highland and Waterford for over 19 years.
Throughout this time span, Mr. LaFontaine and his wife Maureen LaFontaine have been joined as Dealer Operators by their two son’s Mike LaFontaine Jr. and Ryan LaFontaine. Both sons grew up in the business and play crucial roles as Owners and General Managers in the organization. While the whole family has responsibilities throughout the organization, Mike Jr is based out of the Imports Complex in Dearborn, MI while Ryan overseas all business at the Highland, MI locations.
In 2005 the LaFontaine Family and their vision continued with the addition of LaFontaine Chevrolet in Dexter, MI. LaFontaine Chevrolet quickly took on the passion and focus of the family turning around sales, customer service, parts and service. LaFontaine Automotive Group also acquired its first Collision Shop when buying Dexter Chevrolet. Matt LaFontaine, one of Mike and Maureen’s Nephews expanded his role in the organization by taking over as the General Manager at this location.
In 2007 the growth and vision was like no other. The ground was broken on the new state of the art facility where the Buick Pontiac GMC and Cadillac brands were moved in the summer of 2008 and where General Motors First GREEN Dealership Nationwide is now located. In the mitts of their biggest business endeavor the LaFontaine Family was not done with 2007.
In the fall of 2007 the LaFontaine Family purchased Saline Chrysler Dodge Jeep and added it to their now 14 New Manufactures represented and 5 Metro Detroit Pre-owned locations housing one of Michigan’s largest pre-owned inventories. The LaFontaine Family also brought its passion and vision to Saline, MI and the Dealership quickly took on the sales, customer service, parts, service and collision repair needs of Saline and Washtenaw County. In correlation with the entire family Matt LaFontaine is the General Manager of operations in Saline and Dexter, MI
2008 proved to be another benchmark year for LaFontaine Automotive Group. While all dealerships were meeting and exceeding Manufacture Sales and Fixed Operations goals the LaFontaine Family was about to do a first in the Automotive Business.
June of 2008 LaFontaine moved its Buick Pontiac GMC Cadillac Dealership down the road to its new 65,000 square foot facility on 34 acres in Highland, MI. This Dealership is not only the #1 Buick Pontiac GMC dealership in the country it is the 1st Gold L.E.E.D Certified Dealership in the country for General Motors. The vision behind building an environmentally friendly dealership was not about just going GREEN, it was about doing the right thing.
Once LaFontaine moved its Buick Pontiac GMC Cadillac operation to its new location Ryan LaFontaine and his Family opened LaFontaine Pre-Owned Auto World at the existing location in Highland, MI. The Auto World location is the new home over 200 Pre-owned Vehicles. It offers all price points, makes, models including certified pre-owned vehicles.
In 2009 LaFontaine Automotive Group continued its growth by bringing Nissan to Oakland County. In August of 2009 LaFontaine Nissan was opened in Highland, MI on M-59. Nissan was a great addition to the Automotive Group bringing its manufacture representation to 15. LaFontaine Nissan is the newest addition to the Automotive Group and will quickly show Nissan consumers the passion and dedication of the organization.
The LaFontaine Automotive Group has always been, and will remain, family owned and operated. For many years, LaFontaine Automotive Group was known as, “The Bare Bottom Dealer.” This slogan was created as an effort to communicate to our customers that we would give the best price on any vehicle possible. In 2004 the LaFontaine Family was looking for a slogan that harmonized their image. “The LaFontaine Family Deal,” was born. The Family Deal is much more than the best price on a New or Pre-owned Vehicle, The Family Deal is an attitude and approach to business that is carried by all the LaFontaine Family members and is passed on to all employees of the Automotive Group.
LaFontaine Automotive Group
Michael T. LaFontaine and Maureen LaFontaine- Owner and President
Ryan LaFontaine, Michael T. Lafontaine Jr. and Matt LaFontaine- Owners / General Managers
Michael T. LaFontaine and Maureen LaFontaine- Owner and President
Ryan LaFontaine, Michael T. Lafontaine Jr. and Matt LaFontaine- Owners / General Managers
LaFontaine Automotive Group as of late 2009 represents 15 Vehicle Manufactures and over 400 Pre-owned Vehicles to choose from. The LaFontaine Family has always and will continue to, go the extra mile for all of our employees and customers. Below are some of the awards and accolades we are very proud of. However, our most important awards and goals are the ones we are working towards today.
GET UP TO THE MINUTE DEALS!