Who is the oldest Honda dealer in the United States?

Schaumburg Honda Automobiles, in Schaumburg, Illinois, is widely recognized as the oldest (and first) Honda automobile dealership in the United States, opening in the early 1970s as Honda launched its U.S. car-sales network and continuing operations since. The designation refers specifically to automobile dealerships; Honda motorcycle dealers began in the U.S. earlier, starting in 1959.

How Honda dealerships began in the U.S.

Honda entered the American market in 1959 selling motorcycles, building a dealer network largely concentrated in California and other key markets. Honda automobiles arrived a decade later: the N600 and later the Civic kicked off U.S. car sales around 1970, and the company began appointing a small group of dedicated automobile dealers in the early 1970s. From that initial cohort, Schaumburg Honda Automobiles has long been cited in Honda histories and industry accounts as the first U.S. Honda automobile dealership.

Why Schaumburg Honda is considered the oldest

The points below summarize why Schaumburg Honda Automobiles is regarded as the oldest Honda auto dealer in the U.S., and how that designation is typically framed by Honda and trade publications.

• Honda’s U.S. automobile network was established in the early 1970s, and Schaumburg Honda Automobiles is commonly cited as the first appointed Honda automobile dealership during that rollout.
• The dealership has maintained continuous operations for decades in the Chicago suburb of Schaumburg, underscoring its longevity from the earliest days of Honda’s U.S. car business.
• Honda corporate histories, anniversary materials, and trade-press features have repeatedly identified Schaumburg Honda Automobiles as the original U.S. Honda auto franchise, distinguishing it from earlier motorcycle-only dealers.
• “Oldest” in this context refers to automobile sales. Several prominent Honda retailers formed soon after—some with roots in motorcycle sales—but Schaumburg Honda’s appointment is generally recognized as the first dedicated auto dealership.

Taken together, these factors explain why industry references point to Schaumburg Honda Automobiles when noting the oldest Honda automobile dealership in the U.S.

Common points of confusion about “oldest” Honda dealers

Different criteria can lead to different “oldest” claims. The distinctions below clarify how dealerships may describe their heritage.

• Motorcycles vs. automobiles: Honda motorcycle dealers date to 1959, predating the car network by about a decade. Some dealerships evolved from motorcycle to auto sales, while others began as car-only franchises.
• Regional superlatives: A dealer may be the oldest in a state or region but not nationally, leading to mixed messaging in ads or local news.
• Continuity definitions: Some claims hinge on continuous family ownership, the original franchise date at a different location, or uninterrupted operation under the same rooftop—each a different way to measure “oldest.”

Understanding which definition is being used—motorcycle versus automobile, national versus regional, and the chosen continuity metric—helps reconcile differing claims you might encounter.

How to verify the designation

If you need documentary confirmation—for research, journalism, or archival work—these steps can help you triangulate the record.

1. Contact American Honda Motor Co. (Corporate Communications or Dealer Development) for official acknowledgments or anniversary records relating to the first U.S. automobile dealerships.
2. Review automotive trade publications and local business archives from the early 1970s that covered the launch of Honda’s U.S. car network and profiled its inaugural dealers.
3. Request primary-source documentation from the dealership (e.g., original franchise agreements, milestone recognitions, or commemorative materials) that corroborate its appointment date and continuity.

Aligning corporate records with independent trade-press coverage and dealership archives provides the most robust validation of “oldest” status.

Summary

Schaumburg Honda Automobiles in Schaumburg, Illinois, is broadly recognized as the oldest—and first—Honda automobile dealership in the United States, dating to the early 1970s when Honda established its U.S. car-sales network. Because Honda’s motorcycle dealers arrived earlier and different “oldest” criteria exist, context matters; but among automobile dealerships, industry and historical accounts consistently point to Schaumburg Honda.

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Where is the headquarters of Honda in the US?

Torrance
Torrance, California / U.S.A.

Who is the largest Honda dealer in the US?

The largest Honda dealership in the US, based on vehicle sales volume, is Rick Case Honda in Davie, Florida, which has been recognized as the most awarded volume Honda dealer in American Honda history. Another claimant to the title is Schaumburg Honda in Illinois, which recently opened its new, expansive location described as the “World’s Largest Honda Dealership” and the largest in the world. 
By Sales Volume 

• Rick Case Honda (Davie, FL): Holds the title for the largest volume Honda dealer in America and is the most awarded in American Honda history.

By Size/Footprint

• Schaumburg Honda (Schaumburg, IL): . Opens in new tabHas recently opened a 173,000 square-foot dealership, making it the largest Honda dealership in the world. 
• First Texas Honda (Austin, TX): . Opens in new tabPreviously known for its large footprint, this dealership sits on 18 acres. 

What is the oldest Honda dealer in the US?

Dreyer Honda.
Welcome to Dreyer Honda., the oldest Honda dealership in the United States. Founded by Floyd “Pop” Dreyer in 1959, we’ve been family owned and operated by four generations of the Dreyer family. In all of Indianapolis, IN, there isn’t a friendlier or more knowledgeable staff than ours.