Customers would be hard-pressed to find an inexperienced salesman in the showroom at the Motor Inn Co., Albert Lea’s Buick, GMC and Honda dealer.

In fact, the six-man sales team has more than 60 collective years of experience.

The “new kid on the block” in the sales department is Darryl Swenson, who’s sold cars there for four years. John Kelly, who’s been selling cars at Motor Inn Co. the longest — aside from owner David Christensen — has 17 years of service under his belt.

“They’re treated well, and I appreciate their input,” said Christensen of the longevity. “There’s a real family feel here.”

Christensen’s family has driven this business forward for more than 70 years. His grandfather purchased the business in 1939, followed by his father and then himself in 1995. Christensen pretty much grew up at the Motor Inn Co. and remembers getting excited for the new car announcements as a child.

Christensen took his first part-time job in seventh grade washing cars at the dealership. In ninth grade, he began working there through the summers. As an adult, he worked his way through the departments: parts, service and sales. Eventually, he took his experience to the next level as general manager and then as the owner.

He credits not only the dealership’s strong product line but also the generations before him for his ability to create such a positive work environment.

“My grandfather and dad set the tone,” he said. “If it’s working, don’t try to fix it.”

The success of this formula in retaining employees is evident through the entire dealership.

Take a walk back to the service department and you’ll see technician Ed Peak hard at work, with 43 years of service. Service manager Dave Hutchins has been at the Motor Inn Co. for more than 35 years and Lee Walters has been the parts manager for about 30 years.

This doesn’t surprise Scott Lambert, executive vice president of the Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association, who has known Christensen for more than 20 years.

“His dealership is a reflection of his personality,” Lambert said. “He’s just a solid, good businessman. He’s there for the long haul, takes being a member of the community seriously, and he’s willing to make investments in his business.”

Christensen likes to credit his employees, as well.

“It’s been a good crew and everybody gets along,” he said. “Our customers know that when they come back, the person they dealt with before will more than likely be here.”

Motor Inn by the numbers

103 years Motor Inn Co. has served the people of Albert Lea in the selling and servicing of cars.

72 years Motor Inn Co. has been in the family of David Christensen. In 1939, his grandfather, Elmer Matthies, purchased the business from Albert Watland.

1962 the year that David’s father, Howard Christensen, purchased the business from Matthies. He had worked as a salesman for 17 years and decided to keep it in the family when Matthies retired.

1995 the year David Christensen took over ownership of the business from his father. The third generation member of his family to own the business, he grew up not only learning about cars but also learning how to treat his employees with the same respect he wished to receive from them.

38 employees at Motor Inn Co: four in the office, four in the body shop, seven in sales, two in parts, 15 in service, three in cleanup and three in management.

Hero: sales team at Motor Inn Co.

Secret identity: salesmen

Base of operations: Albert Lea area

Superpower: longevity

Kryptonite: love of cars

Affiliations: David Christensen, owner; Jim Thompson, general manager and Brad Hegwood, sales manager

Origin: Motor Inn Co. was founded in 1908 by Dr. Albert Watland, a dentist in Albert Lea.

Hero: David Christensen

Secret identity: owner
Years with Motor Inn Co.: 34 (full-time, part-time before that)
Why his employees have stayed: “Treating everybody the way you want to be treated has added up to people coming here and making it their home.”

Hero: Brad Hegwood

Secret identity: sales manager
Years with Motor Inn Co.: 18
Why he has stayed: “It’s run very well, very businesslike, but it’s fun. We have a great mix of people here. We have the best crew around, so, where else would you go? I talk to a lot of dealerships and they just don’t have what we’ve got. Dave lets you do your job, and he’s not intrusive. It’s just a really good team here.”

Hero: Don Anderson

Secret identity: business manager
Years with Motor Inn Co.: 10
Why he has stayed: “When I was younger, I thought the corporate route was the way to go. But a family-owned business looks at things differently. When all is said and done, you’re treated well, and there’s a lot to be said for that.”

Hero: Mike Schuster

Secret identity: salesman
Years with Motor Inn Co.: 7
Why he has stayed: “It’s family-oriented and everybody works together. Between us and the back departments, we’re kind of a family.”

Hero: Tony Rogness

Secret identity: salesman
Years with Motor Inn Co.: 11
Why he has stayed: “It’s a great place to work and great people to work with. We have great product lines to sell, and we take care of our customers after the sale. It’s easy to get them back, and that’s important when you’re a salesman.”

Hero: Jim Thompson

Secret identity: general manager
Years with Motor Inn Co.: 17
Why he has stayed: “It’s a good family place to work. You’re not a number. Everyone’s more like a friend. You’re there for people in good times and in bad.”

Hero: Ryan Wuerflein

Secret identity: salesman
Years with Motor Inn Co.: 8
Why he has stayed: “I enjoy working with people and enjoy the cars. There’s always something a little bit different going on from day to day. It’s unscripted, and every day there’s something new. Dave’s also a great guy to work for.”

Hero: John Kelly

Secret identity: salesman
Years with Motor Inn Co.: 17
Why he has stayed: “It’s been a good business. I enjoy the cars we have, the local people, and they’re good people to work for.”

Hero: Del Simpson

Secret identity: salesman
Years with Motor Inn Co.: 7
Why he has stayed: “I was self-employed for 35 years, and you’re working all the time. My friends bet I wouldn’t last six months here, and I fooled them all. I like the challenge of sales, I like the negotiating process, I like it all. It’s just an all right place to work.”

Hero: Darryl Swenson

Secret identity: salesman
Years with Motor Inn Co.: 4
Why he has stayed: “The longevity is really a testimony to the owners and management. They really care about the people who work here. When your employees are happy, it lends itself to them doing a better job and making the customers happy.”