Every year, the TIME Dealer of the Year award recognizes dealers for their outstanding performance. In today’s episode of Inside Automotive, we’re honored to welcome Ray Farabaugh, this year’s recipient of the prestigious award and president of D-Patrick Inc. He’ll discuss his win and the impact it’s having on his customers, team, and stores.
Farabaugh’s employees are ecstatic about the award. A true leader, he makes it clear that the achievement was not possible without them. He praises his team for their exceptional customer service, which keeps customers coming back time and again.
Giving back is extremely important to Farabaugh. Since joining the organization in 1989, D-Patrick has donated over $4 million to local charities. He also emphasizes the importance of encouraging employees to give back by granting them time off to serve on boards or engage in volunteer work.
D-Patrick was founded in 1934 by his business partner and wife’s grandfather. The organization boasts an extraordinary lineup of brands, including three Ford stores, a Lincoln dealership, and stores for Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, Audi, Volkswagen, Nissan, and Honda.
There is a high turnover rate in the retail automotive space, but Farabaugh’s organization excels at retaining top talent. With about 500 employees, D-Patrick has 40% of its team members with more than ten years of service. He attributes this success to treating employees well, showing genuine care for them, expressing concern for their families, and honoring work-life balance through flexibility.
Looking ahead, Farabaugh envisions D-Patrick continuing to grow within Indiana. He notes that it’s easier and more effective to manage multiple locations locally, where he can oversee operations more efficiently.
Like many other dealers, he is optimistic that 2025 will be a better year than 2024. Although the first quarter of 2025 started off a bit rough due to inclement weather, business in February has been strong. He’s confident his team will surpass last year’s results by leaps and bounds.
A hot topic in the auto industry and the news is President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Farabaugh views these tariffs as a negotiation tool that will eventually be resolved. His biggest concern, however, is rising vehicle prices and how they might impact customer’s affordability.
Despite the challenges ahead, Farabaugh is confidence that 2025 will be an extraordinary year.
"No one does it better than car dealers. We are part of our community, we touch people every day, and we're the ones who donate to every other charity. We're on the ground, here for our customers. There's no way an organization can sell direct to customers but doesn't support them, that can really compete with us." – Ray Farabaugh
