TIME AND ALLY FINANCIAL HONOR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA DEALER FOR 2026
Tom Price, Price Family Dealerships, Wins National Recognition for Community Service and Industry Excellence
SSACRAMENTO, CA, November 26, 2025 – The California New Car Dealers Association is pleased to announce California’s nomination of Tom Price, chairman and founder of Price Family Dealerships, for the 2026 TIME Dealer of the Year award, recently shared by TIME, in partnership with Ally.
Price is one of a select group of 47 dealer nominees from across the country who will be honored at the 109th annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, on February 5, 2026.
The TIME Dealer of the Year award is one of the automobile industry’s most prestigious and highly coveted honors. The award recognizes the nation’s most successful auto dealers who also demonstrate a long-standing commitment to community service. Price was chosen to represent the California New Car Dealers Association in the national competition — one of only 47 auto dealers nominated from more than 20,000 nationwide.
A lifelong car enthusiast, Price began selling cars while in college and later served in the Lincoln-Mercury Division at Ford Motor Company before moving into retail. “I loved cars as a child, and when I started calling on dealerships for Ford, I fell in love with the retail and entrepreneurial side of the business,” Price said. “A dealer told me, ‘If you like this business so much, why not go retail?’ So I did.”
In 1976, Price and his wife took a leap of faith to acquire their first store. “My wife of 53 years and I sold our house and cars, used our savings, and even cashed credit cards to buy an Oldsmobile dealership,” he said. “We survived gas lines and 20% interest rates — and we kept growing.”
He went on to build First America Automotive to 31 dealerships, served as vice chairman of Sonic Automotive, and then re-founded Price Family Dealerships, which today includes 15 dealerships representing 20 brands and 1,300+ employees across Northern California. “Not every plan goes as expected — our IPO fell through — but rebuilding as a family company with my sons has been better than I could have hoped,” Price added.
Price has invested more than $96 million since 2010 in new and remodeled facilities while modernizing operations. “Actions speak louder than words,” he said. “That’s why we adopted our Simple Price, Simple Process approach — one price and one salesperson. What used to take 3-4 hours now takes 60-90 minutes, and customers leave smiling.”
The group also implemented video multi-point inspections across all service lanes. “Transparency builds trust — our videos turn ‘trust us’ into ‘see for yourself,’” Price said. A six-month internal contest identified best-practice videos and rewarded technicians. “When customers can see their brakes and tire tread on screen, they feel respected and informed.”
Developing people is central to Price’s philosophy. “We’re fueled by good people, doing the right thing, together,” he said. “From UTI partnerships to NADA Academy, we invest in technicians and future leaders — and we share success with buy-in opportunities so top performers can build wealth with us.”
Tom also championed the creation of the Price Family Women’s Circle. This employee-led network empowers women across 30 dealerships through mentorship, leadership development, and community service, strengthening company culture and advancing female representation in the automotive industry.
Price Family Dealerships also built a comprehensive wellness ecosystem, including an emergency relief fund, a 24/7 employee assistance program, and the company-wide DriveFit challenge. “When people face a crisis, they shouldn’t face it alone — that’s why we created our emergency relief fund,” Price noted. Community impact is a long-standing commitment. “For 20 years, we’ve donated a new Toyota annually to Dedication to Special Education, helping raise more than $1.05 million for students with special needs,” Price said. In addition, Tom donates to over 250 local charities, totaling more than $1 million in annual charitable assistance to the community.
He also serves locally as co-chairman for Belvedere Residents for Intelligent Growth. “A dealership’s true balance sheet is measured in how it shows up for families in its community.”
Dealers are nominated by the executives of state and metropolitan dealer associations around the country. A panel of faculty members from the Tauber Institute for Global Operations at the University of Michigan will select one finalist from each of the four NADA regions and one national Dealer of the Year. Three finalists will receive $5,000 for their favorite charities, and the winner will receive $10,000 to donate to charity, courtesy of Ally.
In its 14th year as the exclusive sponsor, Ally is recognizing dealer nominees and their community efforts by contributing $1,000 to each nominee’s 501(c)(3) charity of choice. Nominees are recognized online at ally.com/go/tdoy, which highlights the philanthropic contributions and achievements of TIME Dealer of the Year nominees.
“At TIME, our commitment to recognizing the exceptional contributions of automotive dealers remains as strong as ever,” said Jessica Sibley, CEO of TIME. “The TIME Dealer of the Year award continues to celebrate those who not only excel in their profession but also make a meaningful impact in their communities. We are thrilled to continue this legacy in partnership with Ally.”
Doug Timmerman, Ally president of Dealer Financial Services, said, “Auto dealers are the backbones of their communities, providing civic support and significant business leadership. Ally is proud to recognize the unwavering commitment these TIME Dealer of the Year nominees are living every day through their volunteerism, sponsorships, and support of charitable causes. They are the epitome of community heroes, making important and positive impacts in the lives of the people they serve.”
Tom Price was nominated for the TIME Dealer of the Year award by the California New Car Dealers Association. He and his wife, Gwen, have two sons, Gregory and Nick.
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About TIME
TIME is the 100-year-old global media brand that reaches a combined audience of over 120 million around the world through its iconic magazine and digital platforms. With unparalleled access to the world’s most influential people, the trust of consumers and partners globally, and an unrivaled power to convene, TIME’s mission is to tell the essential stories of the people and ideas that shape and improve the world. Today, TIME also includes the Emmy Award®-winning film and television division TIME Studios; a significantly expanded live events business built on the powerful TIME100 and Person of the Year franchises and custom experiences; TIME for Kids, which provides trusted news with a focus on news literacy for kids and valuable resources for teachers and families; the award-winning branded content studio Red Border Studios; an industry-leading web3 division; the website-building platform TIME Sites; the sustainability and climate action platform TIME CO2; the new e-commerce and content platform TIME Stamped, and more.
About Ally Financial
Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) is a financial services company with the nation’s largest all-digital bank and an industry-leading auto financing business, driven by a mission to “Do It Right” and be a relentless ally for customers and communities. The company serves more than 11 million customers through a full range of online banking services (including deposits, mortgage, point-of-sale personal lending, and credit card products) and securities brokerage and investment advisory services. The company also includes a robust corporate finance business that offers capital for equity sponsors and middle-market companies, as well as auto financing and insurance offerings. For more information, please visit www.ally.com and follow @allyfinancial. For more information and disclosures about Ally, visit https://www.ally.com/#disclosures. For further images and news on Ally, please visit http://media.ally.com.
About the NADA Show
The annual NADA Show brings together more than 20,000 franchised dealers and their employees, industry leaders, manufacturers and exhibitors to learn about the latest auto industry tools, trends, products and technologies.
About CNCDA
For over 100 years, CNCDA has protected and promoted the interests of California’s franchised new car and truck dealers. Your membership makes a difference! Thanks to members like you, we deliver essential legal compliance support, educational resources, advocacy, and exclusive events.
In 2024, California’s franchised new car dealers sold more than 1.85 million new cars and trucks, employed more than 138,478 people, paid $8.83 billion in sales tax, and donated $70.75 million to charitable and civic organizations. CNCDA is the nation’s largest state association of franchised automotive dealers, with nearly 1,200 members, and provides compliance resources, as well as legislative, regulatory, and legal advocacy.
2025 Annual Convention Recap and Photos
SACRAMENTO, CA – The California New Car Dealers Association would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to all who attended the 2025 Annual Convention. We appreciate all the members who came to celebrate, reconnect, and gave their time for professional development and inspiration. We hope you join us again next September on the BIG island at the Four Seasons Hualalai.
Additionally, we want to thank our sponsor partners who helped make this event possible for our membership. Thank you again for your dedication to our industry and cause. We hope to see you all next year!
2025 Dealer Day Recap and Photos
SACRAMENTO, CA – The California New Car Dealers Association would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to all who attended Dealer Day 2025 in Sacramento. We appreciate the 200+ dealers and 150+ sponsors, vendors, and partners who attended and gave their time to advocate for the future of California’s Automotive Industry. We hope you will join us again for Dealer Day 2026.
Additionally, we want to sincerely thank our sponsor partners who helped make this event possible for our membership. Thank you again for your dedication to our industry and cause. We hope to see you all next year!
If you would like a high-res version of any of these images, please contact Autumn Heacox, Director of Communications & Marketing (aheacox@cncda.org).
2025 CNCDA Welcome Reception at NADA Show
SACRAMENTO, CA – The California New Car Dealers Association would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to all who braved the weather, secured their flights, and made it to our Welcome Party at the 2025 NADA Show in New Orleans! Additionally, we want to sincerely thank our sponsor partners who helped make this event possible for our membership. We hope to see you all next year!
If you would like a high-res version of any of these images, please contact Autumn Heacox, Director of Communications & Marketing (aheacox@cncda.org).
Tom’s Truck Center Fuels Automotive Careers with $300,000 donation to CNCDA Foundation on GivingTuesday
Dealership Kicks Off Global Generosity Movement GivingTuesday to Encourage Others to Donate
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LOS ANGELES — December 3, 2024 — Tom’s Truck Center, an industry leader in commercial truck sales and service, kicks off GivingTuesday with a $300,000 donation to the California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA) Foundation, aligning with the global GivingTuesday movement to inspire generosity and giving back. The funds will support programs that encourage students to pursue meaningful careers as automotive service technicians, addressing the growing demand for skilled professionals in California’s evolving auto industry.
“This donation from Tom’s Truck Center will allow the CNCDA Foundation to expand services for students interested in becoming automotive technicians,” said CNCDA Foundation President Kim McPhaul. “We are hoping others will join in the spirit of Giving Tuesday and follow Tom’s lead. Contributions will help us implement mentorships, paid apprenticeships, vehicle donations, and enhance online training resources in 2025.”
With 27 million drivers in California and a rapidly growing fleet of electric, hydrogen, and self-driving vehicles, the automotive industry faces an urgent need for skilled technicians. Currently, there are over 4,300 open automotive technician positions statewide. Well-trained professionals in this field can earn upwards of $150,000 annually, making it a lucrative career path. Visit cncdafoundation.org/givingtuesday to donate today.
“The automotive world is changing fast, and the need for skilled technicians is greater than ever,” said Tom’s Truck Center President and CEO KC Heidler. “We encourage everyone to donate and invest in the future of our industry. Together, we can create pathways for young people to enter stable, well-paying careers as automotive service professionals.”
The CNCDA Foundation, founded in 1994, has provided over $1.5 million in scholarships to aspiring technicians and is committed to expanding educational opportunities to ensure the continued success of California’s automotive industry. Tom’s Truck Center’s significant contribution will enable the foundation to reach even more students, enhancing programs that prepare them for the demands of this dynamic field.
Media Contact: DeeDee Taft Spin Communications deedee@spinpr.com 415.515.1229
About CNCDA Foundation
The CNCDA Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, supports educational initiatives in the automotive industry. It serves as a catalyst for change and a community partner, inspiring interest in automotive careers to transform lives. Through its Automotive Service Career Pathways Program, the Foundation partners with educators, car dealers, auto manufacturers, and youth and veteran groups across California. Acknowledging the vital role of automotive technicians in California’s transportation ecosystem, the CNCDA Foundation is committed to providing access to essential skills for new automotive technologies, ensuring economic and environmental progress. Visit cncdafoundation.org.
About Tom’s Truck Center
Established in 1949, Tom’s Truck Center provides new and used commercial vehicle sales, rentals, leasing, options, parts and service for medium to heavy duty (Class 2-8) vehicles, including electric and hydrogen trucks and vans. Brands represented include Ford, Fuso, GreenPower, Hino, Isuzu, Nikola, and REE. Tom’s helps businesses navigate purchases, government incentives programs, and charging infrastructure. Tom’s Truck Center has two locations 909 N. Grand Ave, Santa Ana, CA and 13443 E. Freeway Drive, Santa Fe Springs, CA. Visit www.ttruck.com.
TIME and Ally Financial Honor San Jose Dealer for 2025
Shaun Del Grande Wins National Recognition for Community Service and Industry Accomplishments
Shaun Del Grande is one of a select group of 49 dealer nominees from across the country who will be honored at the 108th annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in New Orleans, Louisiana, on January 25, 2025. The TIME Dealer of the Year award is one of the automobile industry’s most prestigious and highly coveted honors.
The award recognizes the nation’s most successful auto dealers who also demonstrate a long-standing commitment to community service. Del Grande was chosen to represent the California New Car Dealers Association in the national competition — one of only 49 auto dealers nominated for the 56th annual award from more than 20,000 nationwide.
“The most rewarding part of leading our organization has been experiencing the personal and professional growth of our team members throughout DGDG (Del Grande Dealer Group),” nominee Del Grande said. “Attracting, guiding, and retaining key employees and leaders has been the focal point and foundation of our success.”
Del Grande earned a B.A. in economics at the University of California Los Angeles in 1988. Then in 1996, he joined his father, Kevan Del Grande, at the dealership his dad originally acquired in 1976.
“It was the greatest decision of my life,” he said. “I had the opportunity to learn from a remarkable businessman, brilliant car dealer, and incredible mentor. Over the past 28 years, the business has scaled from a single rooftop to multiple dealerships in the San Francisco Bay area.”
Today, Del Grande oversees 16 northern California stores in San Jose, Santa Clara, Salinas, Vallejo, Modesto, Fremont, and Concord. These stores represent brands like Audi, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Genesis, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Subaru, and Volkswagen.
“I find immense satisfaction and gratitude in the relationships I’ve built with our team, as well as with our great manufacturers and business partners,” he said. “The DGDG culture, which focuses on employee growth and education, a world-class guest experience, and a commitment to new technologies, has established our dealership group as an industry leader.”
Del Grande is proud that the San Francisco Chronicle named DGDG as one of the San Francisco Bay Area Top Workplaces for more than a decade.
Another way Del Grande has shaped his dealership group is through community service. He created DGDG Does Good, known as the charitable arm of his company. DGDG Does Good sponsors local events and partners with many local charities and nonprofits.
“To date, we have donated more than $1 million to worthy recipients throughout our community,” he said. “We also encourage our team members to give back to the causes they care about most.”
Some of the organizations DGDG Does Good has supported include: Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area, First Tee Silicon Valley, Special Olympics Northern California, YMCA of Silicon Valley, a dog rescue group called South County Tail Waggers, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, Santa Teresa Little League, San Jose Police Foundation, as well as many area schools and athletic programs.
“Our goal is to make a difference in the communities where we work and live,” Del Grande said.
Dealers are nominated by the executives of state and metro dealer associations around the country. A panel of faculty members from the Tauber Institute for Global Operations at the University of Michigan will select one finalist from each of the four NADA regions and one national Dealer of the Year. Three finalists will receive $5,000 for their favorite charities and the winner will receive $10,000 to give to charity, donated by Ally.
In its 14th year as exclusive sponsor, Ally also will recognize dealer nominees and their community efforts by contributing $1,000 to each nominee’s 501(c)3 charity of choice. Nominees will be recognized on ally.com/go/tdoy, which highlights the philanthropic contributions and achievements of TIME Dealer of the Year nominees.
“At TIME, our commitment to recognizing the exceptional contributions of automotive dealers remains as strong as ever,” said Jessica Sibley, CEO of TIME. “The TIME Dealer of the Year award continues to celebrate those who not only excel in their profession but also make a meaningful impact in their communities. We are thrilled to continue this legacy in partnership with Ally.”
Doug Timmerman, Ally president of Dealer Financial Services, said, “Auto dealers are the backbones of their communities, providing civic support and significant business leadership. Ally is proud to recognize the unwavering commitment these TIME Dealer of the Year nominees are living every day through their volunteerism, sponsorships, and support of charitable causes. They are the epitome of community heroes, making important and positive impacts in the lives of the people they serve.”
Del Grande was nominated for the TIME Dealer of the Year award by Brian Maas, president of the California New Car Dealers Association. Del Grande has three children.
TIME is a registered trademark of TIME USA, LLC.
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About TIME TIME is the 100-year-old global media brand that reaches a combined audience of over 120 million around the world through its iconic magazine and digital platforms. With unparalleled access to the world’s most influential people, the trust of consumers and partners globally, and an unrivaled power to convene, TIME’s mission is to tell the essential stories of the people and ideas that shape and improve the world. Today, TIME also includes the Emmy Award®-winning film and television division TIME Studios; a significantly expanded live events business built on the powerful TIME100 and Person of the Year franchises and custom experiences; TIME for Kids, which provides trusted news with a focus on news literacy for kids and valuable resources for teachers and families; the award-winning branded content studio Red Border Studios; an industry-leading web3 division; the website-building platform TIME Sites; the sustainability and climate action platform TIME CO2; the new e-commerce and content platform TIME Stamped, and more.
About Ally Financial Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) is a financial services company with the nation’s largest all-digital bank and an industry-leading auto financing business, driven by a mission to “Do It Right” and be a relentless ally for customers and communities. The company serves more than 11 million customers through a full range of online banking services (including deposits, mortgage, point-of-sale personal lending, and credit card products) and securities brokerage and investment advisory services. The company also includes a robust corporate finance business that offers capital for equity sponsors and middle-market companies, as well as auto financing and insurance offerings. For more information, please visit www.ally.com and follow @allyfinancial. For more information and disclosures about Ally, visit https://www.ally.com/#disclosures. For further images and news on Ally, please visit http://media.ally.com.
About the NADA Show The annual NADA Show brings together more than 20,000 franchised dealers and their employees, industry leaders, manufacturers and exhibitors to learn about the latest auto industry tools, trends, products and technologies.
About CNCDA For 100 years, the California New Car Dealers Association has protected and promoted the interests of California’s franchised new car and truck dealers. CNCDA members are primarily engaged in the retail sale and lease of new and used motor vehicles but also provide customers with automotive products, parts, service and repair. Our members sold more than 3 million new cars and trucks in 2022 and employed more than 136,000 Californians, significantly contributing to our state’s economy. As the nation’s largest state association of franchised new car and truck dealers—with more than 1,200 members—CNCDA provides legal compliance and legislative, regulatory, and legal advocacy.
2024 Annual Convention Recap and Photos
SACRAMENTO, CA – The California New Car Dealers Association would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to all who attended the 2024 Annual Convention. We appreciate all the members who came to celebrate, reconnect, and gave their time for professional development and inspiration. We hope you join us again next September on the BIG island at the Four Seasons Hualalai.
Additionally, we want to thank our sponsor partners who helped make this event possible for our membership. Thank you again for your dedication to our industry and cause. We hope to see you all next year!
2024 NADA Washington D.C. Conference
SACRAMENTO, CA – In late September, CNCDA staff and dealer members attended the 2024 NADA Washington Conference at our nation’s capitol where we had the opportunity to engage with congressional representatives and discuss the issues facing the automotive industry today. We sincerely thank our dealer members again for traveling across the country to advocate for California’s franchised new car dealers!
2024 Dealer Day Recap and Photos
SACRAMENTO, CA – The California New Car Dealers Association would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to all who attended Dealer Day 2024 in Sacramento. We appreciate all the members who participated and gave their time to advocate for the future of California’s Automotive Industry. We hope you will join us again for Dealer Day 2025 on March 26, at the Sacramento Hyatt Regency.
Additionally, we want to sincerely thank our sponsor partners who helped make this event possible for our membership. Thank you again for your dedication to our industry and cause. We hope to see you all next year!
If you would like a high-res version of any of these images, please contact Autumn Heacox, Director of Communications & Marketing (aheacox@cncda.org).
Dealer Day Photography generously sponsored by:
2024 NADA Show Recap and Photos
LAS VEGAS, NV – The California New Car Dealers Association would like to thank all members, sponsors, and friends who attended the 2024 NADA Show and CNCDA’s Welcome Party. We appreciate all the members who came to celebrate, reconnect, and learn. We hope to see you all in 2025 in New Orleans!
