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When you shop with us at Jim Ellis Volkswagen of Chamblee in Atlanta, you’re stepping into the place where it all started. This is right where the Ellis family began their 50-year journey in doing whatever it took to serve the greater Atlanta area with their automotive needs. And what better way to do that than with a brand known for its versatility, capability and wide-spread accessibility? From our very first VW Karmann-Ghia to the latest VW Atlas Cross Sport for sale, bringing incredible value to our customers is one of the main reasons why we love Volkswagen vehicles as much as we do. We’re sure you’ll feel the same way.
You may not even realize it, but catering to your needs begins the second you connect with us. Our sales specialists will listen to your story and ask pointed questions about previous vehicles, your daily routine and favorite pastimes. The goal is to sort through some of the amazing Volkswagen models in an effort to find you a perfect match. Why? Finding you a vehicle you love is our passion and we’re listening very closely. All those music downloads you love to have on your morning bike ride might do well on the Fender Acoustic audio system. That time you mentioned being stressed while trying to park downtown is taken care of with the Park-Assist package. Always the go-to at the parent pickup line? Well, now the VW Atlas and VW Tiguan lease deals are calling your name with seating for up to seven. You need the perfect vehicle. We’re listening!
Here at Jim Ellis, we offer exciting solutions to some of the biggest challenges that car buyers face. We offer a completely touchless purchase or lease experience. You can choose your model, structure your deal and work in your trade from the comfort of your own home. Relax and enjoy while we bring your next vehicle right to you. Let’s say you were searching for a VW Golf in Atlanta. Naturally, you found us and your favorite VW Golf! All you have to do is hit the big green button to the right, which says, “Start your purchase online,” and you’re almost done!
Once your new Volkswagen vehicle is safely home, you can count on us to help in every way possible with regards to no-appointment servicing, lifestyle accessory upgrades, scheduled maintenance and more. The purchase experience is only a small part of your ownership story. We’re here to make sure all the pages are full of incredible moments.
Jim Ellis VW is uniquely positioned to capture some of the most exceptional trade-ins around. We see loads of popular off brands in all the body styles that our customers love. You’ll find exceptional luxury vehicles, SUVs, wagons, convertibles and plenty of used Jetta cars in Atlanta. Our finance team is here to make purchasing easy, and they’ve got you covered on extended warranties, appearance protection and service contracts. After all, the idea of dedicated service runs deep in the Ellis family. Our founder was a proud U.S. Army veteran who had a dream to continue his service in Georgia once he had returned home.
Struggling to make something out of limited resources was not foreign to Mr. Ellis. When he was 10 years old, he and his family moved to an Atlanta Prison Farm property. His father was the foreman of the prison farm and his grandfather was the superintendent. Growing up, Mr. Ellis worked on a farm, had a milk and paper route, did construction, ran a concessions business at Grant Park and ran a laundry route. By the time he completed West Georgia College and Georgia State University in 1957 with a BBA in general management, he had worked also as a prison guard and foreman, sold insurance, IBM Machines and real estate and held various other jobs to work his way through college. After returning from serving two years in the U.S. Army, Mr. Ellis held a variety of jobs until he found his place in the automobile business with General Motors in 1960.
In 1970, Jim Ellis and his wife Billie took the biggest financial plunge of their lives to establish their own automobile dealership. They sold all of their assets, used all of their savings, cashed in Billie’s retirement fund from over 15 years at Georgia Tech, and borrowed the balance to begin Jim Ellis Volkswagen of Chamblee in 1971. In total, the plunge amounted to $35,000 in assets, and $165,000 in loans.
Jim Ellis was active in the oversight and management of Jim Ellis Automotive up until 2015 when he stepped back and turned the reigns over to his son, Jimmy. Continuing the legacy of his father and adding in an immense appetite for expansion, Jimmy nearly doubled the size of the company in both dealerships and team members during his seven-year tenure as president and CEO of Jim Ellis Automotive Group. In late 2022, the company lost both their founder and president and CEO with the passing of both Jim Ellis and Jimmy Ellis. With the unexpected loss of Jimmy during his time as president and CEO, several third-generation family members who were already active in the automotive group stepped into new or expanded leadership roles within the company.
Founder Jim Ellis’ daughters, Karen Ellis Black and Kristi Ellis Cohron, both serve as corporate officers. Third-generation family members in leadership include Wes Ellis (son of Jimmy Ellis), serving as company president and CEO; Stacey Ellis Hodges (daughter of Jimmy Ellis), serving as vice president of group support operations and corporate directors; and Brooke Ellis Gatlin (daughter of Karen Ellis Black), serving as vice president of human resources.
The Ellis family also has a few fourth-generation family members who have also now entered the workforce at Jim Ellis Automotive. Brooke’s two children, son Tyler and daughter Ivie both currently hold positions within Jim Ellis Automotive Group. Ivie Ellis Gatlin completed a degree in business management and now works within the Jim Ellis Advertising Agency. Tyler Gatlin completed technician training and works as an automotive technician at Volvo Cars Mall of Georgia. Additional fourth-generation family members are likely to start careers in the organization their great grandfather founded upon completing their education.
Beyond direct descendants of Founder Jim Ellis, there are extended family members who can also be found working within the company. Jim Ellis’ niece, Mickey Patterson, and her son Andrew Roper, also work for the automotive group. The notion of family is ingrained in the culture of Jim Ellis Automotive Group.
With over 50 years in business, the Ellis family now owns and operates 21 dealerships, covering 17 major automotive brands. We look forward to serving drivers in Atlanta and the greater Marietta, Duluth, Alpharetta and Buford, Georgia region for many years to come.
