The Northland story began when area car dealers came together from Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota to form the Northland Independent Automobile Dealers Association in 1979. Several additional states joined thereafter, but most have branched to form their own independent state associations still operating today. Northland IADA continues to address legislative issues, protect the business interests of dealers, and work to educate dealers while improving their professionalism and their industry.

In 1990, Northland IADA Executive Director Al Lentsch started Northland Auto Enterprises as a separate company in direct response to the feedback and concerns of nearly 7,500 dealerships in the Upper Midwest. Dealer forms and supplies were the first product offerings. After much research and industry input, Al launched the highly successful Ren’T’Own® (rent to own) program as a better alternative to the many challenges faced by Buy-Here-Pay-Here lots.

In the years since, Northland has pioneered a variety of dealership-friendly programs designed to make dealerships more competitive and profitable. Northland’s nationally recognized Keys To A Better Dealership sales and marketing tools are currently marketed to approximately 200,000 new and used car dealers across the United States. Each of these unique, dealer focused programs, founded on the advice of many car dealers, must meet an extra stringent degree of standards before it can be offered.

The end result is a number of ”sales tools” that Northland’s national dealer consultants can offer to progressive dealerships who are looking for that competitive edge in the marketplace. We welcome you to our web site, and invite you to learn how Northland’s sales tools can make your dealership better.