Krapohl Ford & Lincoln

What Krapohl Ford & Lincoln does

Krapohl Ford (formerly Krapohl Ford & Lincoln) is a third-generation family-owned automotive dealership founded in 1950 by brothers Robert and Harold Krapohl in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The dealership operates from a single location at 1415 E Pickard serving Isabella County and the surrounding mid-Michigan region (Clare, Alma, Big Rapids). It sells new Ford vehicles (F-150, Super Duty, Bronco, Explorer, Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning, and the full lineup), pre-owned vehicles across multiple makes, and operates a fully integrated service business with master certified technicians, a Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center, a 4,524-square-foot body shop specializing in RV and commercial vehicle collision repair, a parts department, vehicle rentals, and a commercial fleet sales division. As of 2025, the dealership dropped the Lincoln franchise to focus exclusively on Ford amid Lincoln Motor Co.'s nationwide dealer consolidation.

The company generates revenue through six primary streams: new vehicle sales, used vehicle sales, service and repair transactions, body shop collision work (including specialty RV/commercial vehicle repair), OEM and aftermarket parts sales, and daily/weekly vehicle rentals. Pricing on new vehicles follows MSRP with manufacturer incentives, Ford employee pricing, and military/first-responder bonuses; service uses transaction-based pricing with coupons, tire price guarantees, and lifetime brake pad guarantees. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer through the physical showroom, walk-in Quick Lane, mobile service truck, and pick-up-and-delivery, supplemented by an active Facebook presence, a community-focused blog, and annual community events that reinforce the multi-generational customer loyalty engine.

The operating model is supported by proprietary infrastructure investments including 904 rooftop solar panels (~$25,000 annual savings), a 58-foot paint booth and two dedicated repair bays for large-vehicle work, four wireless CL Challenger Lifts, and Ford Pro Mobile Service capability. The dealership employs 51-100 staff with long-tenured employees (10–30+ years), Master certified technicians, and a general manager (Mike Helmer) who completed NADA Academy leadership training. Ownership remains with co-owners Tom Krapohl (second generation) and Mark Smith (third generation), with no institutional or private equity backing.

Name

Krapohl Ford & Lincoln

Legal name

Krapohl Ford

Website

https://krapohlford.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Krapohl Ford is a third-generation, family-owned Ford dealership founded in 1950 in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, serving Isabella County and mid-Michigan with new and used vehicle sales, service, parts, a specialized RV/commercial vehicle body shop, rentals, and commercial fleet sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Mount Pleasant

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. New Vehicle Sales: Sales of new Ford vehicles including trucks, SUVs, cars, and electric vehicles. Sells new Lincolns by order/allotment despite no longer having them on lot.
2. Used Vehicle Sales: Sales of pre-owned vehicles including Ford models and other makes. Extensive used inventory with various price points including vehicles under $15k and under $30k.
3. Service and Repair: Full service department handling maintenance and repairs for all makes and models. Includes Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center offering oil changes, inspections, brakes, batteries, and tires.
4. Body Shop Services: Collision repair and custom accessories for all vehicle types including cars, trucks, SUVs, RVs, and commercial fleets. Specialized in RV body repair.
5. Parts Department: Sales of OEM and Motorcraft parts, Ford accessories, and dealer-installed accessories.
6. Vehicle Rentals: Daily and weekly car rental services including Ford vehicles and Bronco rentals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Krapohl Ford is a family-owned Ford dealership selling new Ford vehicles (F-150, Super Duty, Bronco, Explorer, Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning, Transit, etc.) and pre-owned vehicles across multiple makes. It operates a master-certified service department, a walk-in Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center, a full body shop with specialized RV and commercial vehicle repair, OEM parts sales, daily/weekly rentals, commercial fleet sales, mobile service, and pick-up-and-delivery. The dealership also arranges vehicle financing and trade-ins through its F&I operations.

Product overview

Krapohl Ford & Lincoln (now operating as Krapohl Ford as of 2025, having discontinued new Lincoln sales) is a family-owned Ford dealership in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, with a 75-year history since its founding in 1950. The company operates a diversified automotive business encompassing new and used vehicle sales, a full-service department with master certified technicians, a Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center for no-appointment-needed maintenance, a comprehensive body shop with RV repair capabilities, parts sales, commercial fleet sales, and vehicle rentals. The dealership's core offerings revolve around Ford's complete vehicle lineup including trucks (F-150, Super Duty, Maverick, Ranger), SUVs (Bronco, Explorer, Expedition, Escape), vans (Transit, Transit Connect), and electric vehicles (Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Krapohl Body Shop and Custom Accessories: Full-service collision repair and body shop offering repairs for cars, trucks, SUVs, RVs, and commercial fleets including a 4,524 sq ft addition completed in 2021 with two repair bays and a 58-foot paint booth.

Products and services

• New Ford Vehicle Sales Sale of new Ford vehicles including trucks (F-150, Super Duty, Maverick, Ranger), SUVs (Bronco, Explorer, Escape, Expedition), vans (Transit, Transit Connect), and electric vehicles (Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning). Available to individual consumers and commercial fleet buyers, with MSRP-based pricing, manufacturer incentives, employee pricing, and military/first responder bonuses.
• Used Vehicle Sales Sale of pre-owned vehicles including Ford models and other makes such as Chevrolet, Jeep, Chrysler, Buick, GMC, Honda, and Volkswagen. Inventory is offered with various price points, Manager Specials, and Last Chance Deals, available to individual consumers.
• Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Walk-in automotive maintenance services including oil changes, tire replacements, brake inspections, battery services, and coolant system maintenance. Targeted at local consumers seeking quick, no-appointment-needed service for routine vehicle care.
• Vehicle Service Department Comprehensive vehicle servicing for all makes and models, performed by master certified technicians, with support for Ford Protect extended warranties. Includes mobile service unit and Ford Pickup & Delivery for customer convenience.
• Krapohl Body Shop and Custom Accessories Collision repair and body work services for all vehicle makes and models, including cars, trucks, SUVs, RVs, campers, semi-tractors, trailers, ambulances, and transit vans. Includes custom accessories work for vehicles, supported by dedicated large-vehicle facilities.
• RV Repair Center Specialized body and paint work for recreational vehicles, supported by a 4,500-square-foot facility within the body shop. Positioned as one of the few specialized RV repair services in the region.
• Ford Parts Department Sale of Ford OEM and Motorcraft parts and accessories, including brake products, batteries, fluids, and dealer-installed accessories. Online parts shopping available through the dealership website.
• Vehicle Rental Services Daily and weekly vehicle rentals featuring Ford vehicles and Bronco rentals for local consumer and short-term transportation needs.
• Commercial Fleet Sales Specialized sales services for commercial and fleet customers purchasing multiple vehicles for business use, including work trucks, vans, and other commercial fleet needs.
• Ford Pro Mobile Service Mobile service vehicle equipped with full repair capabilities that travels to customer locations to perform vehicle service on-site, available to both individual and commercial customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• People's Choice Award winner for best dealership 22 consecutive years and best service department 18 consecutive years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Women's Initiative (Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Community partnership supporting women and girls through Kay's Way supply drive. Krapohl serves as collection site and hosts oil change fundraisers. Co-founded by Kay Krapohl Smith (deceased) who was daughter of founder Bob Krapohl.
• Marine Toys for Tots - Isabella CountycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Annual toy collection site and supporter of Marine Toys for Tots campaign. Hosts Cram a Cruiser events and coordinates with Mt. Pleasant Police for children's holiday donations.
• The Care StorecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Community nonprofit providing personal hygiene and household products. Krapohl serves as collection point for donations and hosts fundraisers benefiting The Care Store's work with Isabella County residents in need.
• Mt. Pleasant Discovery MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Local children's museum and community partner. Krapohl supports museum through sponsorship, hosting events, and serving as collection point for fundraising activities including Bronco raffle.
• Humane Animal Treatment Society (HATS)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Local animal shelter. Krapohl loans vehicles for animal rescue transport when needed for out-of-area rescue missions.
• Special Olympics Michigan - Area 7minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership with Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Michigan Area 7. Hosted drive-in movie fundraiser benefiting Special Olympics.
• Central Michigan University (CMU)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Educational partnership supporting CMU students. Employs CMU students in part-time roles. Supports CMU Baja racing team through frame prep and paint work. GI Tech Center students tour facility for career exploration.
• Community Cancer Services of Isabella CountycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Regular sponsor of CCS events. Provides transportation support for cancer patients attending appointments as part of community health initiatives.
• Ford Motor CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1950Longstanding Ford franchise dealership relationship since 1950. Authorized Ford dealer offering new Ford vehicles, parts, service, and Ford brand representation. More recently transitioning away from Lincoln brand (late 2024) to focus exclusively on Ford.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Group 1 Automotive: Multi-brand franchised auto retailer operating 200+ dealerships in the U.S. and U.K., with new/used sales, service, parts, and F&I. Comparable in core retail automotive product mix but with significantly larger geographic footprint and OEM diversification.
• AutoNation: Largest U.S. automotive retailer operating franchised new- and used-vehicle dealerships across many OEMs, plus parts, service, and F&I. Comparable as a multi-brand franchise group offering the same core dealership product, though at vastly greater scale and with digital channels (AutoNation USA, USA-branded used stores) that independent single-point dealers cannot match.
• Asbury Automotive Group: Major U.S. franchised auto retailer with Clicklane digital retail platform and Total Care Auto extended service brand. Operates the same new/used sales, service, parts, and F&I model, but across many OEMs and geographies.
• Penske Automotive Group: International franchised automotive retailer with premium-brand emphasis and commercial truck retail via Premier Truck Group. Comparable diversified retail automotive model, with higher exposure to luxury brands—relevant given Krapohl's loss of the Lincoln franchise.
• Lithia Motors: Aggressive consolidator of franchised dealerships across the U.S. and U.K., with Driveway digital retail and a growing services portfolio. Directly comparable new/used vehicle sales, service, parts, and F&I model, but with M&A-driven scale and capital advantages no independent dealer can replicate.
• Sonic Automotive: Diversified franchised dealer group with EchoPark used-vehicle stores in addition to traditional new-car franchised dealerships. Same franchise dealership model and parts/service/F&I economics, with broader brand portfolio than a single-point Ford dealer.

Emerging players

• Carvana: Online used-vehicle retailer with vehicle-vending machine delivery model. Competes with Krapohl's used-vehicle segment for share-of-wallet among digitally inclined buyers in the broader Michigan market.

Regional players

• Camping World: Largest U.S. retailer of RVs and RV-related services, including collision and repair work. Directly comparable to Krapohl's specialized RV body and paint service capability, but at national scale rather than a regional Michigan dealer offering.

Others

• Caliber Collision: Largest U.S. collision repair chain with 1,800+ centers, operating independently of OEM franchise systems. Comparable in the body shop and collision repair service line that supports Krapohl's revenue diversification, but as a pure-play repair specialist rather than part of a dealer group.

Direct peers

• CarMax: Largest U.S. used-vehicle retailer with no-haggle pricing, in-house financing, and a national footprint. Directly comparable on the used-vehicle sales and trade-in side of Krapohl's business, but with a fundamentally different (used-only, no franchise) model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/KrapohlFordLincoln
• Xx.com/KrapohlFord

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Krapohl Ford & Lincoln