John Widiger's Plans for Springfield Nissan & Springfield Kia

For John Widiger, becoming the owner of Springfield Nissan and Springfield Kia is the realization of a long-time goal. He’s been in the automotive business for 40 years, and since 2010, he has been the managing partner at Youngblood Auto Group. When John Youngblood retired in 2023, Widiger partnered with Arkansas-based RML Automotive to purchase Youngblood’s ownership interest, and Youngblood Auto Group was renamed Springfield Nissan & Springfield Kia. “RML is the financial backer, and I am the operating dealer, the face of the dealerships,” says Widiger. 

As managing partner/owner, Widiger provides opportunities for his 120 employees. “I hire people that've never been in the business and train them to take care of the customer,” he says. “They know there’s an opportunity to advance if they stay.” Widiger continues, “I could have retired, but I couldn’t stomach giving notice that a new owner was coming. If I left, there would be turmoil and a lot of employees would leave and need to start their careers over.”

Widiger is looking forward to a $3 million dollar renovation of the Kia dealership, which will include a two-story glass showroom and 4,500 square feet of additional space. “The new facilities will help us get additional inventory,” Widiger says, “and meet our monthly goal of selling 100 new Kias, 80 new Nissans and 120 used cars.” To reach new customers, Widiger is allotting 60 percent of the marketing budget to digital advertising, including social media. 

Springfield Nissan & Springfield Kia will continue to donate $50 from every sale to local charities. In 2023, the business donated over $200,000. “We are still locally owned and operated,” says Widiger. “We believe in giving back to the community that has given back to us.”