Fitzgerald Auto Mall
| Company type | Private, family-operated |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive retail |
| Founded | 1966 |
| Headquarters | Rockville, Maryland , United States |
Area served | Maryland, Pennsylvania, Florida |
Key people | Jack Fitzgerald (CEO) |
| Products | Automobiles (20 automotive brands) |
Number of employees | over 250 |
| Website | https://www.fitzmall.com |
Fitzgerald Auto Mall is a privately held, family-operated automotive dealership group established in 1966, launching its initial showroom in Bethesda, Maryland. By 2014, it secured the 59th position on the list of the "Top 125 Dealership Groups" nationwide, as reported by Automotive News. Additionally, Fitzgerald’s dealerships were featured five times on the 2013 WardsAuto e-Dealer 100 ranking.
History
Originating in 1966 with a Colonial Dodge franchise located in Rockville, Maryland, Fitzgerald Auto Mall has expanded to encompass 20 dealership sites throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Florida, collectively representing 20 automotive brands. In 1979, the company implemented a no-haggle pricing policy aimed at improving the purchasing experience for customers.
In 2003, Fitzgerald distinguished itself as the first automotive retailer group across North America to obtain both ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications, a status it has upheld continuously since then.
The organization was honored with the National Capital Business Ethics Award in 2005, acknowledging its dedication to ethical operations among more than 50 contenders from the Washington D.C. region.
In 2006, Fitzgerald collaborated with Pepco Energy Services to convert all its Maryland dealerships to utilize wind-generated electricity, underscoring its commitment to environmental sustainability.
By 2008, Fitzgerald stood among just six U.S. dealers providing plug-in hybrid conversion kits for the Toyota Prius, showcasing its leadership in advancing green vehicle technology.
Marking its 50th year in business during 2016, Fitzgerald Auto Mall continued to broaden its influence within the automotive market.
In 2023, following Jack Fitzgerald’s establishment of the Fitzgerald ESOP Trust, the company became the largest Employee-Owned dealership group, signifying a pivotal development in its corporate governance and strategic direction.
Recognition/Awards
- In 2001, Jack Fitzgerald, CEO, earned the title of Auto E-tailer of the Year from the American International Automobile Dealers Association for outstanding achievements in online commerce.
- On February 1, 2004, at the National Automobile Dealers Association Convention, Fitzgerald Auto Mall was awarded the first ISO 9001 certification granted to a multi-location dealership group in auto retail; concurrently, it secured ISO 14001 certification for its Environmental Management System.
- The company received the large-company accolade at the National Capital Business Ethics Awards in 2005 for exemplary ethical business conduct among firms employing over 250 staff members.
- In 2006, Fitzgerald recycled more than two million pounds of materials, earning Montgomery County’s Outstanding Achievement in Recycling Award.
- The Germantown dealership obtained LEED Gold Certification in 2009—the first such achievement for any dealership east of the Mississippi River—featuring solar panels and wind energy systems.
- In 2013, Fitzgerald Toyota took part in Toyota’s "100 Cars for Good" charitable initiative by donating vehicles selected through public voting to nonprofit organizations.
- By May 2014, the company had installed its 45,000th child safety seat across its showroom locations.
- As a participant in Maryland’s Clean Energy Partnership and operating facilities fully powered by wind energy, Fitzgerald became the first automotive dealer to join as a U.S. EPA Green Power partner.
- CEO Jack Fitzgerald has been honored with numerous industry distinctions including the Golden Gear Award, All Star Dealer Award, and NADA Innovative Dealer Award; in 2022, Automotive News recognized him as a Visionary Dealer for pioneering no-haggle pricing strategies.
2008-2010 Automotive Industry Downturn
The global economic downturn in late 2008 had a profound effect on the U.S. economy, leading to restricted credit access and a sharp decline in vehicle sales, which precipitated a significant crisis within the American automotive sector. By 2009, General Motors and Chrysler declared plans to shut down 2,200 dealerships nationwide, resulting in the loss of approximately 170,000 jobs. Fitzgerald Auto Mall was directly impacted by this decision, losing all five of its Chrysler franchise locations.
In reaction to these developments, CEO Jack Fitzgerald, alongside dealers Tammy Darvish and Alan Spitzer, established the Committee to Restore Dealer Rights (CRDR). This group was created to challenge the franchise terminations imposed by GM and Chrysler and advocate for the enactment of the Automobile Dealer Economic Rights Restoration Act of 2009.
Community Engagement
Since 1999, Fitzgerald Auto Mall has collaborated with Safe Kids USA in Maryland to offer complimentary monthly inspections of child safety seats for families. This initiative includes special sessions dedicated to Spanish-speaking populations. To date, over 45,000 child safety seats have been assessed through this program.
Additionally, Fitzgerald organizes pet adoption events in partnership with the Washington Animal Rescue League (WARL), utilizing its dealership locations in North Bethesda, Frederick, and Rockville as venues to promote animal welfare within the community.
Moreover, Fitzgerald supports a corporate work-study program in Maryland that provides students with the opportunity to work one day per week alongside local employers. This experience helps students gain valuable skills while assisting with tuition costs at private Catholic preparatory schools. Fitzgerald is one of more than 75 collaborators involved in this program, which also includes Montgomery County government, Holy Cross Hospital, and NASA.