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Redwood Falls, Minn. —
There’s been a Ford dealership in Redwood Falls since 1935, when the Redwood Falls Motor Company was founded in the building that now houses Fieldstone Vineyards.
The Ford dealership moved to its current headquarters on High-way 19/71 in 1966.
At the time it was surrounded by fields.
Two years later, Ron Kohls, a 1966 graduate of Morgan High School, started his career with cars by washing vehicles for the Scott-Preusse dealership in Redwood Falls.
“I started selling cars in 1970. That gave me the goal to own my own dealership,” said Kohls. “I want to thank the late Bill Preusse for giving the opportunity to start me out with the best job in the world.”
In 1980, Kohls and Dick Fowler bought the Ford dealership from Frank Stevenson.
“Currently, we have 34 full-time employees, and 10 part-timers in different positions,” said Kohls. “Several of our employees have been with us since 1980. We’ve had generations of employees working here: grandfathers, fathers, and sons.”
One of those employees was family friend Brett Weelborg, a 1980 Morgan High School graduate, who started with Kohls in 1987.
“I was working at a lumberyard in Iowa, and never thought I would ever do something like this,” Weelborg said, “but Ron kept asking me to come work for him in some way, in parts, service, sales…”
“I saw something in Brett I admired, and wanted him to be part of this dealership,” said Kohls.
“Ron’s a good closer,” Weelborg laughed. “He was literally on his knees, following me across the showroom, asking me to work here. I’ve never looked back. This is where I belong.”
In 1994, when Fowler retired, Terry Marguth became a partner, then sold his partnership to Weelborg a year later.
In October 2002, Kohls-Weelborg Ford bought Hap Ouverson Chevrolet in Spring-field. That dealership, now called Kohls-Weelborg Chevrolet, relocated to New Ulm in Oct. 2010.
“They’re pretty independent, because they have to be as a franchise,” Kohls said. “We serve Redwood County with its only Ford dealership and Brown County with its only Chevrolet dealership.”
Pre-owned vehicles are also a big part of the dealership.
“We have the franchise for new Ford vehicles in Redwood Falls, and we’ll try to locate any pre-owned vehicle a customer desires,” said Kohls.
“When you’re looking for a car, don’t be afraid to look locally,” said Weelborg. “We do research every day, and we’re competitive.”
There’s been a Ford dealership in Redwood Falls since 1935, when the Redwood Falls Motor Company was founded in the building that now houses Fieldstone Vineyards.
The Ford dealership moved to its current headquarters on High-way 19/71 in 1966.
At the time it was surrounded by fields.
Two years later, Ron Kohls, a 1966 graduate of Morgan High School, started his career with cars by washing vehicles for the Scott-Preusse dealership in Redwood Falls.
“I started selling cars in 1970. That gave me the goal to own my own dealership,” said Kohls. “I want to thank the late Bill Preusse for giving the opportunity to start me out with the best job in the world.”
In 1980, Kohls and Dick Fowler bought the Ford dealership from Frank Stevenson.
“Currently, we have 34 full-time employees, and 10 part-timers in different positions,” said Kohls. “Several of our employees have been with us since 1980. We’ve had generations of employees working here: grandfathers, fathers, and sons.”
One of those employees was family friend Brett Weelborg, a 1980 Morgan High School graduate, who started with Kohls in 1987.
“I was working at a lumberyard in Iowa, and never thought I would ever do something like this,” Weelborg said, “but Ron kept asking me to come work for him in some way, in parts, service, sales…”
“I saw something in Brett I admired, and wanted him to be part of this dealership,” said Kohls.
“Ron’s a good closer,” Weelborg laughed. “He was literally on his knees, following me across the showroom, asking me to work here. I’ve never looked back. This is where I belong.”
In 1994, when Fowler retired, Terry Marguth became a partner, then sold his partnership to Weelborg a year later.
In October 2002, Kohls-Weelborg Ford bought Hap Ouverson Chevrolet in Spring-field. That dealership, now called Kohls-Weelborg Chevrolet, relocated to New Ulm in Oct. 2010.
“They’re pretty independent, because they have to be as a franchise,” Kohls said. “We serve Redwood County with its only Ford dealership and Brown County with its only Chevrolet dealership.”
Pre-owned vehicles are also a big part of the dealership.
“We have the franchise for new Ford vehicles in Redwood Falls, and we’ll try to locate any pre-owned vehicle a customer desires,” said Kohls.
“When you’re looking for a car, don’t be afraid to look locally,” said Weelborg. “We do research every day, and we’re competitive.”
Although Kohls-Weelborg Ford sells everything from sub-compacts and up, the dealership has developed a national reputation for truck sales.
“We sell commercial trucks all over the United States, including Hawaii. We’ve also sold trucks to Guam and Israel,” said Weelborg.
“We’ve got two people from Nebraska on their way here right now to pick up two trucks from us,” pointed out Kohls. “The Internet has changed our business drastically. People can buy from us from all over the country.”
“Buyers have the same tools for purchasing a car we do for selling, so it’s simpler,” said Weelborg. “They’re more educated, so it forces dealers to have integrity.
“It’s opened the process up, and put a light on everything.”
“‘Ask your friends and neighbors why they do business with Kohls-Weelborg Ford’ used to be one of our advertising slogans,” said Kohls, adding, “Maybe we should bring that back.
“After 40 years in the car and truck business, I’m being asked when I plan on retiring,” added Kohls. “My answer is, ‘As long as I get the same high feeling I got when I sold my first car in 1970, I’ll be here.
“Why would I quit? Wouldn’t everyone love to have my job of buying and selling cars and trucks?”
