Rydell Automotive Group is the new owner of two Nebraska dealerships — for now.

The unique dealership group, led by Wes Rydell, announced it has acquired Tom Dinsdale Chevrolet GMC Cadillac and Tom Dinsdale Hyundai in Grand Island, Neb., in a transaction that closed Wednesday. The stores will operate under the combined name of Grand Island Motor Company, which will retain the existing staff.

The announcement was made by Grand Island Motor Company, in keeping with Rydell’s unconventional structure. The group includes more than 80 dealerships in 17 states, but most are independently owned, as the company provides its dealership managers with a path to ownership.

The result, Rydell Automotive said, is an organization that “operates under a common philosophy, but not under common ownership.”

That philosophy includes up-front pricing, actual cash value offers for trades and non-commission product specialists, Grand Island Motor Company said in a news release.

“We are excited to serve the Grand Island community and give them a relaxed, hassle-free buying experience from start to finish,” executive manager Weston Abbott said. “With an extensive inventory of new and pre-owned vehicles, we will strive to only provide the best for our customers and all at one low price, plain and simple, always.”

Abbott also stressed the dealership’s commitment to the Grand Island area.

“I believe strongly that the foundation of the success of a business is based on the involvement and support shown towards the local community,” he said. “As community citizens, Grand Island Motor Company is dedicated to giving back to and engaging with our communities, recognizing their role in our success.

“Our tried-and-true philosophy remains: ‘To be so effective that we are able to be helpful to others.’ ”

Zeigler earns 7th Best and Brightest Companies to Work For award

Zeigler Auto Group followed its local award with a national honor.

The Kalamazoo, Mich.-based dealership group was selected by the National Association for Business Resources as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation, its seventh consecutive appearance on the list.

The award follows Zeigler’s 12th Chicago’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For Award, announced last month, recognizing its 15 Chicago area locations. Zeigler operates 41 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.

The company said the award illustrates its continued excellence in workplace culture, employee engagement and innovation across its multi-state operations.

“This award embodies our DRIVE mission statement in the best way,” president Aaron Zeigler said. “It stands for Develop, Reputation, Integrity, Vision and Execution. By giving our team members the tools, trust and freedom to lead, we continue to raise the bar — not just in our industry, but in how we empower individuals to grow in this competitive automotive industry.”

Nominees for the national Best and Brightest award are evaluated by an independent research firm that assesses categories such as communication, employee enrichment, work-life balance, diversity, recognition, retention and strategic company performance.

“This honor belongs to every team member at Zeigler who shows up each day with passion, purpose and a commitment to creating an environment where people and performance thrive together,” Zeigler vice president of talent development Mike Van Ryn said. “Our team’s DRIVE and dedication are the reason we continue to earn accolades like this.”

The 2025 national winners will be featured in the online edition of Corp! magazine and The Wall Street Journal, and will be recognized during the Best and Brightest National Summit, a gathering of the organizational leaders focused on sharing best practices and workplace innovation.

“These companies have prioritized making a significant impact on their culture,” NABR president and CEO Jennifer Kluge said of the award winners. “By placing employees at the center of their strategy, they’ve gained a true competitive edge.”