Thursday, February 9, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dahl Automotive invests $2 Million in EV charging equipment, tools, training and digital technology

Dahl Automotive announces a major investment in Electric Vehicle infrastructure to prepare for an introduction of new electrified vehicles from their OEM partners coming to market over the next 18-24 months.

“It’s an exciting time in our business as we begin to transition to an electrified future” states Andrew Dahl, President of Da

hl Automotive. “We don’t know how fast or prevalent the transition to EV will be, but rest

assured we will be here to serve the transportation needs of our customers and community just like we have over 5 generations”.

The transportation powertrain transition happening now isn’t new to the Dahl group since they were around 100 year ago at the last transition from a horse and buggy to the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE). When the Dahl Family began their journey in the automobile business in 1911, they also had to teach their customers how to drive this new technology.

“Our guests would trade in their horse & buggy for a brand new Ford Model T”, says Andrew. “And we also had to teach them how to drive this new automobile!”

Its appears history will repeat itself as Dahl Auto builds out their substantial EV charging infrastructure in anticipation of a flood of new EV models coming to the 7 Rivers Region. Dahl’s army of EV Specialists will soon work with the community on “EV Driving Lessons”.

When guests purchase a new Electrified Vehicle from any of our brands – Ford, Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Hyundai, Mazda, Honda, Subaru or Toyota, one of Dahl’s specialists will teach guests how to properly operate and maintain their new EV. Moreover, Dahl’s EV specialists will provide in-car technology training, including installing an app to locate fast chargers in route to their next destination. Dahl will also provide turnkey solutions for convenient at-home charger installation in a guest’s garage.

Dahl Automotive aims to lead the area in EV sales and service, with plans to invest over $2,000,000 on their EV infrastructure including charging stations, tools, equipment, training and digital technology. “We currently have 22 Service Technicians within the group EV certified. Service is an integral part of the EV experience and we’re excited to provide our guests with highly trained professionals to work on any issues that may arise,” says Jansen Dahl, Vice President.

Dahl Automotive recently installed two ChargePoint DC Fast Chargers at their Hyundai dealership in downtown

La Crosse – the FIRST of its kind in La Crosse. The new Charge Point units provide a Level-3 Fast Charge or 130 KWh, equivalent to fully charging a Hyundai IONIQ 5 in only 30 minutes.

Dahl Automotive now has the latest EV chargers at their other dealership locations: Winona Chevrolet Buick GMC has a 50kW DC Fast charger plus two Level-2 chargers; Toyota in Winona recently upgraded to three Level-2 chargers; Ford in Onalaska has three Level-2 chargers and Honda in Onalaska has two Level-2 chargers in service and guest parking.

There are plans to add 7 more charging stations in 2023 in the auto group including a 240kW DC Fast charger at the Ford location in Onalaska. The Ford dealership also plans to add two additional DC Fast Chargers by 2026.

Dahl Automotive worked closely with Excel Energy on the charging infrastructure in La Crosse, Onalaska and Winona, as well as local electricians on installation.

“As the automotive industry evolves, we need to change with it,” Andrew Dahl said. “We’re undoubtedly growing and adapting with the business, just like we did in 1911.”

Tyler Dahl, VP of Strategy comments “As we move to an electrified future to reduce carbon emissions, our manufacturer partners are taking a variety of approaches from hybrid, to plug-in hybrid, full EV and hydrogen. It will be an exciting time of technological transition and we look forward to working with our OEM’s to deliver a great guest experience to ensure the smoothest transition possible”.

Dahl Automotive is offering complimentary EV charging to the community at all of their dealerships through April 30, 2023, to help usher in the new era of EV vehicles. After that time, there will be a market driven charging fee similar to the State and national charging networks.

ABOUT DAHL AUTOMOTIVE

Dahl Automotive employs 360+ team members in the 7-Rivers Region through these primary entities: Dahl Hyundai Mazda Subaru, Dahl Ford, Dahl Honda, Dahl Toyota, Dahl Chevrolet Buick GMC, Dahl Express Service Winona, ABRA Auto Body, Line-X Bedliners & Accessories, Mighty Auto Parts and the Dahl Auto Museum. Dahl Automotive is a humility-based servant led organization focusing on growing our business and impacting our team, families and community in a positive way. Our vision is to transform the auto industry by creating a retail experience that values individuals, grows leaders, and has exceptional guest service. Since 1911 and spanning five generations, Dahl Automotive is the 8th oldest Ford dealership in the United States under continuous family ownership.