Bill Jacobs Automotive Group

An Institutional Pillar of the Chicagoland Automotive Market Bill Jacobs Automotive Group stands as one of the most respected and high-performing privately held automotive organizations in the United States. Headquartered in Naperville, Illinois, the group has evolved from a single Joliet Chevrolet franchise founded in 1954 into a dominant multi-rooftop enterprise generating over $900 million in annual revenue. With a strategic focus on the luxury and import segments, the group operates eight primary locations across the Chicago metropolitan area, employing more than 600 dedicated professionals. As a third-generation family-owned business, Bill Jacobs Automotive Group balances the traditional values of a family firm with the sophisticated operational efficiencies typically found in publicly traded retailers. Their success is rooted in the legacy of Bill Jacobs Jr., who assumed leadership at age 23 and transformed the organization into a regional powerhouse through aggressive brand diversification and a relentless focus on guest experience. ## Historical Evolution and the Legacy of Bill Jacobs Jr. The story of the group began in 1954 when Bill Jacobs Sr., affectionately known as Jake, partnered with his son Bill Jacobs Jr. to launch Bill Jacobs Chevrolet in Joliet. In a move that signaled the group prospective trajectory, Bill Jacobs Jr. became the youngest Chevrolet dealer in the nation at the time. This entrepreneurial spirit drove the organization to look beyond the domestic market, identifying early on that the Chicago suburbs were ripe for European luxury and import brands. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the group expanded its footprint to include some of the most prestigious nameplates in the industry. The transition from a domestic focus to a luxury-centric portfolio required a shift in multi-rooftop governance to ensure consistency across diverse brand identities. Despite the untimely passing of Bill Jacobs Jr. in 2010, the family internal succession planning ensured the group remained private and committed to its core mission. Today, the third generation continues to steward the brand, focusing on modernization while maintaining the founder's commitment to social responsibility and excellence. ## Geographic Footprint and Strategic Markets Unlike many of its peers that pursue nationwide expansion, Bill Jacobs Automotive Group has maintained a disciplined, market-intensive strategy focused exclusively on Illinois. By concentrating rooftops in high-income corridors, the group maximizes brand awareness and operational synergy within a specific logistical radius. ### Primary Dealership Hubs Naperville: The central hub of operations, housing the flagship BMW and MINI facilities. Hinsdale: Home to Land Rover and Jaguar operations, serving one of the wealthiest ZIP codes in the Midwest. Plainfield: A key growth area for the group sales and service volume. **Hoff...