History of Oakes Auto

2010

Dan Oakes answered a Craigslist ad to lease an office in the back of another dealership located in Olathe, KS. Oakes Auto originated as a one-man operation. While working nights as an energy trader, Dan focused his off-work hours building Oakes Auto.

"I was looking to try my hand in the car business. I would tag along to KCI Auto Auction where I watched people buying cars and thought ‘if they can do it, I can do it.’ I proceeded to contact around 20 local banks all of which turned me down for a floor plan due to limited time in the business. I finally got a $50,000 line of credit from a floor plan company with high fees and went to work. I’d get a few cars from the auction and keep them near the back door by my office. Everything that happens in a car dealership had to be done by me or I wouldn’t have a vehicle that I could sell. This continued to be my side hustle while still working a full time job."

April 2011

In April of 2011, Oakes Auto moved to its own standalone building in Merriam, KS.

2013

Dan quit his full-time job as a trader to focus on Oakes Auto.

2016

Oakes purchased the building next door, moving its sales department and combining the two parking lots to make room for more inventory.

2017

In 2017 Oakes Auto was named DealerRater's 2017 Used Car Dealer of the Year for the State of Kansas.

April 2017

By the end of 2016 we were once again out of room for inventory and employees, and spending a significant amount of money using outside vendors to recondition our vehicles. Oakes purchased a building along State Avenue in Kansas City, KS with a full service department. By adding service and parts to our business we were able to eliminate outside vendors and bring more services and staff in-house.

Oakes Auto location at 7301 State Avenue, Kansas City, KS

2018

Oakes Auto was named Used Car Dealer of the Year for the United States by DealerRater.

June 2018

Oakes purchased its first franchise dealership, Mitsubishi. In June 2018, Oakes acquired Olathe Mitsubishi and relocated the dealership to its Kansas City, KS location. Read the Kansas City Business Journal story on the acquisition.

September 2018

In September 2018, Oakes began operating Jack Miller Kia in North Kansas City.

December 2018

In December 2018, Oakes purchased Jack Miller Kia in North Kansas City and rebranded the store Oakes Kia. Read the Kansas City Business Journal article.

Under New Ownership sign on the previous Jack Miller Kia store.

July 2019

Oakes Auto was named Top 200 Private-Sector Employers by the Kansas City Business Journal.

August 2019

Oakes Auto named one of Kansas City’s Fastest-Growing Area Businesses by the Kansas City Business Journal.

September 2019

Oakes Auto named one of Kansas City’s Fastest-Growing Area Businesses for the second year in a row on Ingram’s Corporate 100 Report. Growth: 148.51% Average Annual Growth Rate: 49.5%

March 2022

Oakes Kia honored as an exclusive member of Kia America’s President Club. Selected from the network of nearly 800 retailers, the Kia President’s Club recognizes dealers that have achieved the highest overall sales volume and provided outstanding customer satisfaction.

May 2022

Oakes purchased Cox Motor Company in Pleasanton, KS and rebranded the company Oakes Ford. Read the Linn County Newspaper article.

Morgan and Dan Oakes in front of Oakes Ford with previous store owners, Jesse and Kathy Secrest.

Oakes Ford building in Pleasanton, KS

March 2023

Oakes Kia was honored as an exclusive member of Kia America’s President Club for the second year in a row. Selected from the network of nearly 800 retailers, the Kia President’s Club recognizes dealers that have achieved the highest overall sales volume and provided outstanding customer satisfaction. Morgan and Dan Oakes with members of Kia’s Executive team celebrating Oakes Kia earning Kia’s President’s Club 2022. August 2023: In August 2023, Oakes purchased MainStreet Buick GMC at 3200 Main Street in Kansas City, MO. The company was renamed Oakes Buick GMC. Stephen Hill was brought on as Managing Partner of Oakes Buick GMC. Read the KC Business Journal article.

August 2023

In August 2023, Oakes purchased MainStreet Buick GMC at 3200 Main Street in Kansas City, MO. The company was renamed Oakes Buick GMC. Stephen Hill was brought on as Managing Partner of Oakes Buick GMC. Read the KC Business Journal article.

Under New Ownership sign on the previous MainStreet Buick GMC store.

Dan Oakes and Stephen Hill in front of the new Oakes Buick GMC.

August 2023

Oakes acquired the Oakes Auto Collision Center located across the street from Oakes Buick GMC. Here, Oakes was able to offer a completely new service for customers - a full-service Collision Center.

Oakes Auto Collision Center street-facing signage.

January 2024

Oakes sells the original Oakes Auto location in Merriam, KS.

January 2024

Oakes Kia was honored as an exclusive member of Kia America’s President Club for the third year in a row. Selected from the network of nearly 800 retailers, the Kia President’s Club recognizes dealers that have achieved the highest overall sales volume and provided outstanding customer satisfaction.