Our History

Serving Wisconsin Since 1925

Celebrating 98 Years of Service

Thank You

It’s been a tremendous honor to serve Wisconsin since 1925. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated and hardworking staff for their unwavering efforts over the years. Working with such an exceptional team of men and women every day is truly inspiring. We are humbled by the commitment you’ve shown in building Kayser into what it is today. A special thank you to all our guests who have entrusted us with their vehicle needs over the years – your continued business is deeply appreciated and is the driving force behind our passion. Thanks to you, we have an extraordinary history that we cherish.

- Baxter Family, Owners, Kayser Automotive Group

Birth of Ford Motor Company

1903

Henry Ford Incorporated the Ford Motor Company with a $28,000 Cash Investment.

1903

First Guaranteed Minimum Wage

1914

Ford Introduced the First Guaranteed Minimum wage of $5 per day (which was double the average pay at the time).

Paul A. Kayser Opens First Dealership

1925

Paul A. Kayser, son of former Madison Mayor Adolph Kayser, opens his dealership on East Washington Ave., Madison WI. Dealership beings selling and servicing the famed Model T Ford.

1925

Kayser Sells First Used Car

1927

When cars were first sold they often were kept much longer than they are today and finding used cars to buy was much harder than is the case today.

Kayser Buys Fox Motor Sales Company

1930

Kayser moves up the street to an expanded location and becomes the exclusive Ford Dealer in the market.

Kayser Begins Parts Delivery

1935

Kayser designates a delivery truck to deliver auto parts to local repair shops throughout Southern Wisconsin. Prior to this shop owners had to travel to a Ford Dealer to purchase parts.

1935

Kayser Purchases Lincoln Franchise

1941

Kayser becomes Madison’s Lincoln dealer and located the franchise at the corner of Monroe St. and Regent St. This is now the location of Hotel Red.

1941

1942

US Military Ford Jeeps, Military Build-up Limits Car Sales

Ford began producing Jeeps for the US Military. Meanwhile, during WWII steel was being rationed for use in building military vehicles and only civilians in certain occupations could purchase cars. Kayser was selected as one of eight Madison dealers that could except a government license for the purchase of a car and the only one of the eight still in business today.

1945

Kayser Sells to Its First Celebrity

Eddie Peabody was known as the world’s greatest banjo player. Born in Massachusetts and living in California, Peabody found Kayser during his visits to Chicago to entertain US Troops returning from WWII.

1947

Madison’s Beltline Highway Begins Construction

1947

1945

Kayser Celebrates 25th Anniversary

1950

This is Kayser’s first known all staff photo. Paul Kayser can be seen seated in the center of the photo with black rimmed glasses.

1950

Kayser Employs Over 100

After further expansion and the addition of a body shop, Kayser Ford has over 100 employees has become the largest Ford Dealer in the State of Wisconsin.

Kayser holds the First Sell-A-Rama Sale – The catchy radio jingle has taken over the Madison airwaves every July.

Kayser’s First Sell-A-Rama

1952

Kenneth Kimport Purchases Kayser

1956

Following the untimely death of Paul Kayser, Kenneth Kimport purchases the business.

First Mustang

1964

The Ford Mustang is introduced.

Kayser Becomes Largest Ford Parts Distributor in Midwest

1965

Providing parts to dealers and mechanics all over Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois. During this time it was custom for Parts Department staff to wear white lab coats as part of their uniform.

Kayser Dealership Relocates

1971

After decades of continued success and growth, the Kayser Dealership moves to its current location on the Beltline Hwy.

1971

Oil Crisis

1973

US in midst of OAPEC oil embargo, retail gas prices per gallon “spiked” from the national average of 38 cents to 55 cents per gallon.

Pat Baxter

1985

Pat Baxter purchases a portion of the business and takes a leadership role as President and General Manager. In subsequent years Mr. Baxter acquires the entire business and continues its expansion.

1985

Kayser Buys Yugo Franchise

1988

Touted as a revolutionary car, the Yugo was sticker priced at $4,000. The US Market skeptical of the car and for good reason. The Yugo topped Time Magazine’s list of the “50 Worst Cars Ever Made”. Kayser stopped selling the Yugo two years after it began and ended up purchasing back over 20 cars from customers experiencing major issues.

Kayser Buys Jeep Franchise

1990

Kayser buys Jeep franchise and locates it across from it’s Ford Dealership in Madison. Kayser would later trade the Madison Jeep franchise for a Nissan franchise.

Kayser purchases Town and Country Motors in Prairie Du Sac, WI. Builds state of the art dealership in Sauk City on Hwy 12, expanding Kayser’s franchise offerings to include Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep.

1994

Kayser Expands to Sauk Prairie

1994

Kayser Expands to Watertown

1998

Kayser purchases Grinwald Chrysler in Watertown, WI. Builds state of the art dealership on Hwy 16 and adds Jeep and Dodge franchises becoming Jefferson County’s only full line Chrysler Dodge Jeep dealer.

2000

Kayser Expands to Pulaski

2000

Kayser acquires S&L Motors in Pulaski, WI.

2003

Kayser Buys Isuzu Truck Franchise

Kayser expands its commercial sales division to include the Isuzu Commercial Truck fleet and has Oscar Meyer as one if it’s first customers, having bought the truck body that supports the Company’s famed Wienermobile.

Ford Celebrates 100 Years

Ford Motor Company celebrates its 100 anniversary. Kayser marks the event with a double-page spread in the Wisconsin State Journal.

2003

Financial crisis grips US auto industry causing GM and Chrysler to file for bankruptcy. Ford being the only US auto manufacturer not to receive government ‘Bail Out’ assistance.

2008

US Auto Industry Goes Bankrupt

2008

Kayser Reaches Another Milestone

2010

Celebrates its 85th anniversary.

Kayser Purchases Lincoln Franchise

2012

Becomes Madison’s exclusive Ford Lincoln dealership.

Sean Baxter Becomes President

2014

Sean Baxter, the oldest son of Pat Baxter is promoted to President.

Kayser Celebrates 90 Years

2015

Kayser Celebrates its 90th Anniversary.

2015

2019

Pat Baxter Honored By Chrysler

Kayser Chrysler Center of Sauk Prairie celebrates 25 year milestone.

2019

Kayser Acquires Ballweg Chevrolet Buick

Kayser adds Chevrolet and Buick in Sauk City, WI to round out domestic franchise offerings.

Kayser Celebrates 95th Anniversary

2020

2021

Kayser Acquires Sauk City Ford Franchise

Purchasing Courtesy Ford of Sauk City, Kayser now offers all major American brands in the Sauk Prairie market. Plans are being made to build a brand new Ford Signature facility to represent the Ford brand in the market.

Kayser adds Ford store in Green Bay market

Peterson Ford, an award-winning Ford dealership in Oconto Falls, WI, acquired and to operate as S&L Ford.

2021

Kayser Acquires Bob Clapper Automotive in Janesville, WI.

2022

With this acquisition, Kayser now represents all major American Vehicle Brands. Kayser Also purchased Bob Clapper Truck and Trailer to now offer a full line of commercial and recreational trailers.

Our Future

In 1985, Pat Baxter became part owner, President and General Manager. After becoming sole owner, Pat continued the tradition of continuous improvement established by the founder Paul Kayser. With Pat’s leadership and dedication Kayser has grown to become the market leader as well as achieving an outstanding level of customer service.

In 2014, Pat promoted his oldest Son, Sean to President. Sean Baxter, along with his brothers Ryan and Brendan, is the new generation of leadership at Kayser.

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Kayser Promise

Transforming the Car Buying Experience

Kayser’s ongoing mission is to honor the guests’ experience. The re-focus on creating an amazing and valuable interaction is setting new standards in the industry.