Jim VandenBerg Named TIME Dealer of Year Nominee
The former Maple Hill Auto Group leader represents Michigan in the upcoming national automotive competition.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Buying/Selling
Live Poll
Should local businesses prioritize community service commitments as highly as their financial performance?
Former Maple Hill Auto Group manager Jim VandenBerg has received a nomination for the 2027 TIME Dealer of the Year award. He represents the Michigan Auto Dealers Association among 48 total nominees for the national honor.
Why it matters
The award recognizes auto dealers who demonstrate exceptional business success alongside a strong commitment to community service. Nominees are selected by executives from state and metro dealer associations based on their professional and civic impact.
Jim VandenBerg led a workforce of 125 employees at Maple Hill Auto Group prior to its August 2026 sale. The dealership reported 1,327 new vehicle sales and 685 used vehicle sales in 2025.
The players
Jim VandenBerg
He is the former general manager of the Kalamazoo-based Maple Hill Auto Group and a 2027 nominee for the national dealer award.
Michigan Auto Dealers Association
This trade organization represents the interests of car dealers across the state and nominated VandenBerg for the national recognition.
University of Michigan Tauber Institute for Global Operations
This academic body provides the faculty panel responsible for evaluating dealer nominees and selecting the final winner.
The details
Dealers are chosen through a selection process managed by the University of Michigan Tauber Institute for Global Operations faculty. The program provides $1,000 to each nominee for a 501(c)3 charity of their choosing.
Timeline
1988: Jim VandenBerg began his career as a Mazda Great Lakes district manager.
1995: Maple Hill Auto Group was established in Kalamazoo.
August 2026: Jim VandenBerg sold Maple Hill Auto Group to Fox Motors.
October 2026: TIME announced the official list of Dealer of the Year nominees.
February 19, 2027: Nominees will be honored at the 110th National Automobile Dealers Association Show.
Roadmap
The TIME Dealer of the Year program highlights the shift toward community-focused leadership in the evolving retail automotive sector. This recognition serves as a hallmark of professional achievement that distinguishes dealers amid ongoing industry consolidation.
This award process underscores the role of local dealerships in sustaining regional employment and charitable funding. Residents can see the impact of these businesses through the $1,000 charitable contributions provided to local organizations by each nominee.
The takeaway
The TIME Dealer of the Year award emphasizes that dealership success is increasingly tied to long-term community service rather than just sales figures. Dealers looking to build lasting reputations should prioritize transparent community engagement and philanthropic investment.
What happens next
The 48 nominees will be officially honored during the 110th annual National Automobile Dealers Association Show in Orlando on February 19, 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about local industry trends in the Buying/Selling section.
More information
View the TIME Dealer of the Year nominee profiles for additional details on this year's participants.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WWMT.
Live Poll
Should local businesses prioritize community service commitments as highly as their financial performance?
