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As a child and young adult, Jim Ellis was no stranger to hard work, a path that would lead him to found Jim Ellis Volkswagen of Chamblee and many other trusted auto dealerships. He learned the value of vocation by helping on a farm and running milk, paper, and laundry routes. He dabbled in the construction industry and real estate. He opened a concessions business at Grant Park. These ventures instilled a fierce dedication and discipline.
By the time Mr. Ellis completed his BBA in general management at West Georgia College and Georgia State University, he had also sold insurance and IBM machines, worked as a prison guard and foreman, held a job in real estate, and performed various other duties.
Mr. Ellis then served his country for two years in the U.S. Army. After coming home, he went back to his roots: working diligently to create a life he loved. He held a variety of jobs until eventually finding his place in the automotive business as a General Motors employee in 1960. During his tenure at General Motors, Jim was asked to relocate to Detroit, Michigan, to be near the company's headquarters, but he and his wife, Billie, decided to continue raising their family in Georgia. Just a few years later, in 1965, Jim was hired at Chris Motors Volkswagen in Decatur, and his automotive dealership legacy began.
In 1970, Jim and Billie Ellis were presented with an incredible opportunity: to establish their very own dealership. Taking the biggest financial plunge of their lives, they invested all of their savings, sold several of their assets, cashed in Billie's retirement fund, and borrowed the remaining balance to open their first dealership, Jim Ellis Volkswagen, in 1971.
This business risk grew into a thriving and ever-expanding network of Jim Ellis Automotive Group dealerships. As a result, the Ellis family has been fortunate enough to offer employment to thousands of Atlanta locals over the past 55 years, as well as provide a stable business for future Ellis generations to grow into and eventually manage.
Jim Ellis Automotive Group is built on and supported by family. Until 2015, founder Jim Ellis was active in the oversight and management of Jim Ellis Automotive Group. At that point, he stepped back and handed the reins to his forward-thinking son, Jimmy, who continued his father's legacy while nearly doubling the size of the company in both dealerships and team members. During Jimmy's seven-year tenure as president and CEO, the Jim Ellis Automotive Group truly flourished.
Unfortunately, the company lost both its founder and CEO with the passing of Jim and Jimmy Ellis in late 2022. These losses created great sorrow, but the family was also spurred into action. Many family members who were already active in the automotive group stepped up to fill new or expanded leadership roles within the company.
Jim Ellis's daughters, Karen Ellis Black and Kristi Ellis Cohron, both became corporate officers, and third-generation family members also moved into leadership: Wes Ellis (son of Jimmy Ellis), became company president and CEO, Stacey Ellis Hodges (daughter of Jimmy Ellis), gained the title of Vice President of Group Support Operations and Corporate Directors, and Brooke Ellis Gatlin (daughter of Karen Ellis Black), serves as Vice President of Human Resources.
Even a few fourth-generation members of the family have entered the workforce at Jim Ellis Automotive Group, like Brooke Gatlin's two children, Tyler and Ivie. Tyler completed sales training and is now a sales consultant at Jim Ellis Ford Sandy Springs, and Ivie finished her degree in business management and now works as a service advisor at Jim Ellis Volkswagen of Chamblee. Other family members are working to complete their education and start careers within Jim Ellis Automotive Group, too. For example, Jim Ellis's niece, Mickey Patterson, and her son, Andrew Roper, are proud to be a part of their local dealerships.
We believe the key to Jim Ellis Automotive Group's success is that our family-owned business follows one simple philosophy: Treat every customer like they're also a member of the family. Serving our community in this way has earned the name of "The Jim Ellis Promise," and our team practices it on a daily basis.
The concept of welcoming customers into our stores as family was a natural part of Jim Ellis's personality, so it seems only right that it has developed into the official business philosophy we now follow. The Jim Ellis Promise emphasizes a higher level of service, one that our customers can expect at any of our dealerships. When you choose Jim Ellis for your automotive needs, you'll be greeted warmly by employees who are striving to perform their jobs with precision while respecting and valuing each client's time.
In 2026, Jim Ellis Automotive Group passed the milestone of 55 years in business, years that brought success in both growth and reputation. During that time, the company expanded from its first Volkswagen dealership in Chamblee to a collection of 22 dealerships and standalone service, collision, and commercial van centers. Our stores span Atlanta, Buford, Kennesaw, McDonough, Marietta, Newnan, Sandy Springs, South Fulton, Union City, and, most recently, a new CDJR dealership in Woodstock.
The Ellis family recognizes that none of this success and growth would have been possible without their thousands of loyal customers. Thanks to our dedicated team members, we have earned 23 consecutive Consumer Choice Awards for business excellence. Many things can change over the course of 55 years, but Jim Ellis Automotive Group is holding fast to its values and is deeply committed to its customers.
Jim Ellis Automotive Group is Georgia's largest family-owned and -operated automotive group. The group currently employs over 1,700 team members and represents 21 iconic brands: Alfa Romeo, Audi, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Genesis, GMC, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Ram, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo.
Giving back is a concept that Jim and Billie instilled early in their children, and this core principle has guided all future generations; at this point, charitable giving is woven into the Jim Ellis Automotive Group DNA. Each year, Jim Ellis Automotive Group raises money for local nonprofit and charitable organizations.
One of our most popular fundraisers, our annual Holiday Giving Campaign, always leaves us encouraged: Generous donors across Georgia usually give nearly $65,000 per year to support the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, the Empty Stocking Fund, the Atlanta Community Food Bank, MUST Ministries, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, and the Atlanta Children's Shelter.
Jim Ellis Automotive Group is dedicated to repurposing our profits to serve those in need. Sometimes, that looks like donating to child education programs or supporting first responders, teachers, and women; other times, it comes in the form of filling local food banks or helping organizations that provide shelter for the unhoused. The Jim and Billie Ellis Foundation has enabled our company to donate over $50 million to local organizations over the years, and we plan to keep that legacy alive.
Jim Ellis Volkswagen of Chamblee couldn't be prouder to be an integral member of Jim Ellis Automotive Group, but we're not resting on those laurels. Our Volkswagen dealer is dedicated to upholding Mr. Ellis's commitment to hard work each day as we guide our customers with compassion and care. If you're in the market for new Volkswagen inventory and want a family atmosphere to go with it, we hope you'll visit Jim Ellis Volkswagen of Chamblee to experience the Jim Ellis Promise.
Our Volkswagen lineup is incredible every year, showcasing some of the finest craftsmanship, robust engines, and sophisticated styling on today's market. The brand is also pioneering new electric vehicle technology in a way that combines classic VW heritage with contemporary sensibilities – similar to the way we're honoring the auto group Mr. Ellis built while meeting our customers' needs in new and modern ways.
You can tour our current Volkswagen special offers from home if you'd like, then visit us in Atlanta, GA, to test-drive your favorite vehicles.
At Jim Ellis Volkswagen of Chamblee, we think there's no better way to move forward than by paying homage to our past. We would like to take this moment to celebrate everyone who has played a part in our company's success through the years. Our staff feels truly blessed by your patronage, and we sincerely thank you for being a part of our story – for allowing our branch of the Jim Ellis Automotive Group to earn your business. The past 55 years have been excellent, and we have a feeling we're just getting started.
