Our History
Located in Downtown Fayetteville, North Carolina, LaFayette Motor Sales opened its doors in 1949. It started out as a simple new car business, and over time has grown into the multi-franchise dealership it is today. This All-American dealership was built on fundamental values, like honesty, integrity, respect and community involvement and has achieved over 70 years of success by being the locally owned Ford store that treats you like family.
Originally owned by Bess Smith, George Purvis Sr. purchased the business in 1955 and was essential in turning LaFayette Motor Sales into the prosperous business, LaFayette Ford, as it is known today. You might even recognize the LaFayette Ford name from NASCAR driver, Fred Lorenzen’s famous 1965 Daytona 500 winning, #28 Holman Moody Galaxie Ford!
- Main:910-936-3252
- Sales:910-936-3252
- Service:910-537-5078
- Parts:910-537-5250
- Mon - Fri9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
- Sat9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- SunClosed
- Mon - Fri6:30 AM - 6:00 PM
- Sat - SunClosed
- Mon - Fri7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
- Sat7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- SunClosed
- Mon - Fri7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
- Sat7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- SunClosed
As the Fayetteville, NC area began growing exponentially, the Purvis family knew LaFayette Ford needed to grow too. After several moves around Fayetteville, expanding the business each time, LaFayette Ford officially found its home on Raeford Road in 1982. At the time, the business consisted of a small new and used car sales building and a car wash. As time went on and the business became more successful, a service and parts department was added in 1986 to make LaFayette Ford a one-stop-shop for all of their customers’ automotive needs.
In 1995, LaFayette Ford was purchased by Don Price, a US Air Force veteran who worked his way from car salesman to General Manager during his then 30-year career at LaFayette Ford. With Price at the helm, followed by his son-in-law, Mark Fisher, and son, Tim Price, LaFayette Ford became Fayetteville’s only family-owned and operated Ford store.
Under the direction of Don, Mark, and Tim, LaFayette Ford built an entirely new sales building that was much bigger and grander than the original building. The entire family was present for the grand opening and Don’s grandchildren were given the opportunity to cut the ribbon, which started a new chapter for this family’s family business.
In the coming years, LaFayette Ford upgraded their existing service and parts department and built a truck shop and a Quick Lane Tire and Auto Center. They even purchased a Lincoln franchise in 2011 making them the only Lincoln dealer in the Fayetteville, NC area. Through all of these advancements and additions, LaFayette Ford became a full-fledged service and automotive center and a thriving company due to their strong customer base and loyal community.
The President's Award
In 2012 and 2013, LaFayette Ford’s commitment to excellence in customer service earned the dealership one of the highest honors possible for a Ford Motor Company franchise, the President’s Award. The award is given based on customer surveys about the level of professionalism and customer service given by the dealership. Alan Mulally, who was the President and CEO of Ford Motor Company at the time, personally visited LaFayette Ford to give the award to the owners and staff. That day will be long remembered by everyone at the dealership. “We’ve always used the old golden rule philosophy. You simply treat customers the way you want to be treated,” commented Fisher. “It’s just really wonderful to be recognized for it.”
Community Involvement
For this family and their team of over one hundred employees, developing a successful business starts with supporting the military and their community’s school system. Through Ford’s Drive One 4 the Troops and Drive One 4UR School fund-raising events, LaFayette Ford has raised over $10,000 for the National Military Family Association and another $10,000 for area high schools.
Over the years, LaFayette Ford has been involved with the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), Pope Special Activities Committee (PSAC), Military Affairs Committee (MAC), Friends of Special Operations Forces (SOF), Fort Liberty Morale, Welfare and Recreation, the USO, the local VFW, and the US Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum. They also proudly sponsor events at Fort Liberty each year.
In addition to their work with the military, LaFayette Ford awards scholarships to outstanding local Future Farmers of America students and annually sponsors the Cumberland County School System’s Principal of the Year and Teacher of the Year awards. They also sponsor many fundraisers for local charities and organizations including Better Health of Cumberland County, Partnership for Children, The Care Clinic, Fayetteville Symphony, Cape Fear Regional Theater, Falcon Children’s Home, American Red Cross, the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens, local churches, and many more!
After 50 years in the car business, Don retired in 2017 paving the way for the next generation of leaders in the family. Mark and Tim, now co-owners and President and Vice President consecutively, continue building on that solid foundation of family values, leading LaFayette Ford into a bright future.
