Contact:
Jorge Hidalgo, 608-345-6192, jhidalgo@wildehonda.com
Tracie Pierce, 941-316-9888, tracie@wildeproductions.net
MADISON WI – The Wilde Family, Pat Donahue, Sharon Bloom and partner, Jorge Hidalgo broke ground on their new state-of-the-art automotive dealership “Wilde East Towne Honda” on May 18, 2012. This world-class facility is being built at the intersection of High Crossing Boulevard and Nelson Road, in close proximity to the East Towne Mall and adjacent to six other automobile dealers. Wilde Automotive brings to Madison its sterling reputation for excellence and customer service earned in southeastern Wisconsin over the past 45 years.
Honored VIP guests participating in this ground breaking ceremony were Scott Walker, Wisconsin State Governor, Joe Clausius, Alder District 17, Brian Mixon, American Honda Zone Manager, Lou Augello, Manager of Minority Dealer Development, American Honda Motor Company, and William Sepic, President WATDA (Wisconsin Automobile and Truck Dealers Association).
In his speech, Governor Walker cited the benefits of Wilde Honda’s $10M investment and the creation of up to 125 jobs that will help the community. Wilde East Towne Honda is scheduled to open by the end of this year.
The new Honda dealership is a minority owned business. Jorge Hidalgo, a former Harley-Davidson executive, has teamed with Wilde Automotive Group to establish the dealership. Wilde is one of the premier names in the Wisconsin automotive retail business. It operates 12 dealerships located in Wisconsin and Florida. Wilde’s existing Honda stores are both American Honda President’s Award winners which identifies them as two of the top dealerships in the nation.
The property on the east side of Madison was previously a quarry. The state-of-the-art facility provides a welcome change to this vibrant intersection and the surrounding community. The facility has numerous features that enhance sustainability and make it look more like a retail center. The building’s footprint is almost 25,000 sq. feet and optimizes land use with vehicle service located on the lower level and the showroom on the upper level.
Wilde and Hidalgo are elated to bring to Madison its expertise in world-class service and demonstrated volume efficiency that has greatly benefited our customers.
About Wilde Automotive Group
The Wilde Automotive Group is a family-owned and operated business founded by Harold L. Wilde. His automotive career began in 1945 in Michigan where he opened a two-man used vehicle sales operation. Today, the Wilde Automotive Group has grown to include 12 dealerships in Wisconsin and Florida with more than 700 employees. Harold Wilde’s legacy is continued under the leadership of his wife, Mary Ann, CEO, his son, Mark, president, Pat Donahue, vice president, Sharon Bloom, VP/CFO, and Harold’s daughter, Tracie Pierce, Director of Marketing.
