We have a passionate team with five generations of experience satisfying our guests’ needs. Feel free to browse our inventory online, request more information about vehicles through our online chat, set up a test drive or inquire about financing. You can even buy your next new or used car completely online with Dahl Quick Click!
No matter where you work or live, there is a Dahl Ford Onalaska location to serve you. Thank you for the opportunity to earn your business.
Five generations of the Dahl family have influenced the automobile industry for over 100 years. Dahl Ford Onalaska is the eighth oldest Ford dealer in the nation under continuous family ownership. This has been made possible through years of guest loyalty, which stems from a constant focus on the guest’s complete satisfaction with our products and services. The rich history of the family as they continue to grow alongside the automotive industry is a great legacy in the making.
Andrew H. Dahl of Westby, WI, who was already running a general store, serving in the Wisconsin legislature, and raising seven children, received an agency agreement from Ford Motor Company in 1911. Ford Model T’s were sold at Andrew’s General store, Andrew H. Dahl Co., for $500 each until a new store was built. At this time two of Andrew’s four sons, Harry and Chester, were convinced to run the operation acting as managers, salespeople, and driving instructors. Ford Motor Company, during the initial years, would transport Model T parts by locomotive, leaving it up to the dealers to assemble them back at their shops. In addition to selling the car, Ford dealers needed to teach customers to drive this brand new machine. Dahl expanded to Viroqua, WI in 1912 and La Crosse, WI in 1915.
The first garage in La Crosse was located at Main and Front streets but was too small for the thriving store and within two years of operation expanded to a larger dealership located on Sixth and King streets. That building is still standing, and today houses WKBT-TV. Chester established a string of Chevy dealerships all over the country during the late 1920’s, and in the early 1930’s was recognized as the largest Chevy dealer in the world.
Kenneth Dahl, Harry’s son, began selling Fords with his father in 1937. The family business continued to prosper under Kenny’s leadership, with dealerships across the nation from Beaumont, Texas to Yonkers, New York. During this expansion, stores were started in many other states, including Davenport, Iowa, that still is operated by Vinje and K.V. Dahl. In 1954 the La Crosse business relocated to Fourth and Cass streets, but just three years later moved to its present location at Third and Division streets. Although the dealership group had consolidated over past generations, the family has always had a growth mindset.
Harry Dahl, Ken’s son and part of the fourth generation, joined the business in 1970 and is now the company’s Chairman. Over the past 50 years, Harry has been instrumental in adding the Subaru, Hyundai, Mazda, Toyota, Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC franchises. In addition, the ABRA Auto Body and Line-X divisions were acquired.
Now leading the charge is the fifth generation: Andrew, Jansen, and Tyler. All three men hold various positions within the dealerships with Andrew being appointed as the company’s President in 2015. Andrew has helped lead the dealership group expansion include adding Honda and the Mighty Auto Parts business. Andrew, Jansen, and Tyler are committed and passionate about continuing the legacy that over 100 years has built, focusing on guest satisfaction and team member development through humility based servant leadership.
