Roe Automotive to stop Buick sales, plans expansion in service and new options

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — A family that's been associated with the Buick brand for more than 75 years is selling that franchise. Roe Automotive says Buick's all-EV lineup doesn't meet market demands in central Nebraska as the local dealership moves in a new direction.

In 1948, after serving his country as a Marine in World War II stationed in Iwo Jima, and then working on the family farm in South Dakota, E.N. “Ev” Roe started in the automobile business in Norfolk. In 1952, he and his wife Merlene moved the dealership to Grand Island and opened Roe Buick. Their son, Tim, then joined the dealership in 1978 where he is still active in the dealership today. In 2009, Tim’s son, Jason Roe, began operating Roe Buick Inc. after working for a large dealership group in San Antonio, Texas, for three years. In 2014, Roe Chevrolet was born just down the road in Aurora and continues to expand its reach in the area. The Roe family has partnered with many franchises throughout the years including Opel, Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Isuzu; yet one thing has always remained constant and that is the Buick brand.

General Motors announced in June of 2022, through a direct dealer message that Buick would strictly be an EV lineup by 2030. Then, in 2023, GM began purchasing the Buick franchises back from dealers throughout the country. At that time, nearly half the Buick dealers then came to an agreement with GM to sell. The number has grown significantly after another round of buybacks took place before the end of 2024. Alongside the buybacks, there will not be any additional Buick dealerships added in the country going forward.

“With the direction of the strictly EV Buick brand, along with the market conditions and knowing our customers’ needs and demands in this part of the country, the extremely difficult and emotional decision to sell the Buick franchise back to GM was made. Effective April 1, 2025, Roe Automotive Inc. will no longer have the Buick franchise,” said Jason Roe.

“This does not mean Roe is going anywhere,” he said. “We will operate Roe Automotive Inc. at the Grand Island location and continue to provide the same excellent customer experience for Pre-Owned Sales as well as ALL of your service and parts needs. You will still see the same experienced Sales, Finance, Service and Parts professionals going forward and are always looking to grow our team. This decision will also help us expand our reach through potential new franchises and various opportunities going forward. One of those plans is to construct an addition to our Service Department at the Chevrolet dealership in Aurora.”

Roe said the family business has been serving Grand Island and the Central Nebraska area for over 73 years and will continue to do so.

“Born and raised in Grand Island, I am proud to call it home and raise my family here,” he said. “We truly value and appreciate all of our past, current and future customers. I am always at the dealerships and enjoy nothing more than visiting with all of you."