2024 TIME Dealer of the Year Nominee

Exciting News: Nominated for Time Dealer of the Year!

We are excited to share that Benton Nissan of Columbia was nominated for the esteemed 2024 TIME Dealer of the Year award. Benton Nissan of Columbia is one of only 49 dealer nominees nationwide and will represent Alabama at the national competition. This accolade celebrates exceptional auto dealers who not only excel in their business practices but also show a heartfelt dedication to community service.

About the TIME Dealer of the Year Award

The TIME Dealer of the Year award stands as a distinguished honor awarded each year by TIME Magazine in collaboration with the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA). Dealers are nominated by esteemed members of the ATAE (Automotive Trade Association Executives), and the winner receives recognition during the grand opening ceremony of the annual NADA Show. This award celebrates dealers who:

• Provide outstanding customer service that ensures complete satisfaction.
• Actively engage with and support the community through meaningful philanthropic initiatives.
• Uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct in all business practices.
• Lead with distinction and contribute to excellence in the automotive industry.

A distinguished panel of faculty members from the Tauber Institute for Global Operations at the University of Michigan will choose one exceptional finalist from each of the four NADA regions, culminating in selecting a national Dealer of the Year. In recognition of their outstanding contributions, three finalists will be awarded $5,000 for charities of their choice, while the overall winner will receive a generous $10,000 donation for their selected charity, courtesy of Ally.

History of Benton

Dale Benton’s journey began at Jefferson Davis Community College (now Coastal Alabama Community College) in Brewton, Alabama, followed by Kennesaw State College (now Kennesaw State University) in Kennesaw, Georgia. Originally, his dream was to play professional baseball, but a career-ending injury during his athletic scholarship forced him to reconsider his future. While reflecting on his next steps, he met Victoria. Determined to propose, he sought a way to afford an engagement ring and seized the opportunity to become a sales consultant at a car dealership in Georgia.

Benton discovered that the thrill of selling cars truly fueled his competitive nature. He viewed the retail automobile industry as his path to self-determination. After getting married, he embarked on a dynamic career journey that led him from Georgia to Alabama, then to Florida, and back to Alabama, all while climbing the ranks in dealership operations.

This journey culminated in a pivotal moment. In 2010, after dedicating 17 years to the industry, Benton took a bold step, investing his family’s life savings to co-own a Nissan dealership in Oxford, Alabama. A few years later, he bought out his partner and has since expanded his Benton Auto Group portfolio to include three thriving Nissan dealerships, two in Alabama and one in Tennessee.

Join Us in Celebrating

We proudly invite our valued customers and community members to join us in celebrating this remarkable achievement. Your steadfast support has been essential in helping us reach this milestone, and we’re thrilled to share this journey with you.

We sincerely thank our customers, dedicated staff, and supportive community for their unwavering trust and commitment. Together, we can accomplish extraordinary things, and this nomination truly reflects our combined efforts.