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Our History

Mile of Cars® in National City celebrates serving San Diego and Tijuana for over 70 years.

Select a year:
2023 / 2022 / 2021 / 2019 / 2018 / 2016 / 2015 / 2014
2013 / 2012 / 2011 / 2007 / 2003 / 2002 / 1997 / 1996 / 1992 / 1990 / 1986
1982 / 1970 / 1965 / 1955 / 1949 / 1929 / 1912 / 1910 / 1905 / 1900

Mile of Cars – 2023

South Bay Volkswagen has changed its name to National City Volkswagen

South Bay Volkswagen has changed its name to National City Volkswagen

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Mile of Cars – 2022

Frank Hyundai is #1 Volume Hyundai Dealer in San Diego in 2022

Frank Hyundai is #1 Volume Hyundai Dealer in San Diego in 2022

Frank Hyundai is a 2022 Top-Rated Lifetime Dealer (CarFax) – Frank Hyundai has earned the distinction of a CARFAX Top-Rated Dealer. This is the fourth year CARFAX is celebrating dealerships around the country for exceptional customer service based on verified reviews. The 2022 CARFAX Top-Rated Dealers received an average of 4.5 stars out of a possible five.

Frank Hyundai is a 2022 Top-Rated Lifetime Dealer (CarFax)

JD Power Dealer of Excellence Award 2022 for Frank Hyundai, Frank Subaru, and Frank Toyota

JD Power Dealer of Excellence Award 2022 for Frank Hyundai, Frank Subaru, and Frank Toyota

Frank Toyota and Frank Subaru are now Dalton Toyota and Dalton Subaru

Frank Toyota and Frank Subaru are now Dalton Toyota and Dalton Subaru

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Mile of Cars – 2021

Frank Motors VIP Rewards Program

Frank Motors VIP Rewards Program

South Bay Volkswagen voted San Diego's best import auto dealer 2021!

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Mile of Cars – 2019

More beautification with brand new signs on the Mile!

More beautification with brand new signs on the Mile!
More beautification with brand new signs on the Mile!

Mile of Cars celebrates its 65th Anniversary.

Mile of Cars celebrates its 65th Anniversary.

Mile of Cars 65th Anniversary

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Mile of Cars – 2018

Name change! Ron Baker Chevrolet becomes Cumming Chevrolet.

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Mile of Cars – 2016

Pokémon Go app launches, and the Mile of Cars becomes a Pokéstop.

Pokémon Go app launches, and the Mile of Cars becomes a Pokéstop.

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Mile of Cars – 2015

Mile of Cars celebrates its 60th Anniversary.

Mile of Cars celebrates its 60th Anniversary.

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Mile of Cars – 2014

Frank Motors Group introduces their furry mascot, Frankie!

Frank Motors Group

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Mile of Cars – 2013

Perry Chrysler opens.

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Mile of Cars – 2012

Mossy Fiat opens.

South County Buick GMC opens

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Mile of Cars – 2011

Frank Subaru opens.

In 2011 ​The Mile of Cars launched our new freeway signs. This is of the ribbon cutting. The boards are 3 boards in National City off the freeway.​

Mile of Cars Freeway Sign, 2011

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Mile of Cars – 2007

Ball Kia opens.

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Mile of Cars – 2003

Frank Scion opens.

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Mile of Cars – 2002

Perry Ford opens .

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Mile of Cars – 1997

Ball Acura opens .

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Mile of Cars – 1996 The National City Mile of Cars underwent a $1.8 million beautification plan in 1996 to better showcase its 20+ dealerships.

Mile of Cars Timeline, 1996

Mile of Cars Timeline, 1996

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Mile of Cars – 1993

Ron Baker Chevrolet staff, 1993 Most of these employees still work there 20+ years later!

Photo on the left: Ron Baker Chevrolet Service Technicians (top from left) Dennis Coughlin, Ignacio Rascon, Joe Feldman, Bill Kuri, Tony Magana, James Filimon, Armando Espinosa, Jeff Hix, Sergio Nunex, Joe Downery and Kevin Schiff (bottom from left) Miguel Bernal, Ravinder Dewan and Jerry Warren.

Photo in the Middle: Parts Department (from left) Ronald Kennedy Jr., Stan Funicelli, Marco Guerrero and Alfred Mayor.

Photo on the right: Service Department (from left) Robert Coduti, Frank Villanueva, Scott Hasted, Fred Duey and Bill Cumming.

Ron Baker Chevrolet Service Technicians (top from left) Dennis Coughlin, Ignacio Rascon, Joe Feldman, Bill Kuri, Tony Magana, James Filimon, Armando Espinosa, Jeff Hix, Sergio Nunex, Joe Downery and Kevin Schiff (bottom from left) Miguel Bernal, Ravinder Dewan and Jerry Warren Parts Department (from left) Ronald Kennedy Jr., Stan Funicelli, Marco Guerrero and Alfred Mayor Service Department (from left) Robert Coduti, Frank Villanueva, Scott Hasted, Fred Duey and Bill Cumming

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Mile of Cars – 1992

Ball Mitsubishi opens.

Ron Baker Chevrolet opens.

Ron Baker Chevrolet Sign  Ron Baker Chevrolet Sign

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Mile of Cars – 1990

South Bay Volkswagen opens in August 1990.

South Bay Volkswagen's Rudy Erm Sr. and Rudy Erm Jr. in front of their new showcase dealership.

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Mile of Cars – 1986

Frank Hyundai the 20th US Hyundai dealership opens.

Hyundai Dealership - Mile of Cars  Hyundai Dealership - Mile of Cars  Hyundai Dealership - Mile of Cars

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Mile of Cars – 1982

The first of now 7 Mossy Nissan dealerships opens.

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Mile of Cars – 1970 Ball Honda opens.

Ball Honda Opens

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Mile of Cars – 1965 In 1965, while National Avenue echoed to the throaty sounds of muscle cars like the new Pontiac GTO, five dealers, Stanley, Webster, Ball, McCune and Dailey, formed the new “Mile of Cars.”

Frank Motors opens a Lincoln Mercury dealership.

Frank Toyota opens.

Mile of Cars Timeline, 1965

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Mile of Cars – 1955 In 1955, dealerships flourishing along National Avenue and began advertising themselves as the Mile of Cars. A new Ford Fairlane Sunliner could be bought for $2,764.00.

Mile of Cars Timeline, 1955

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Mile of Cars – 1949 During the 1940s, Kile Morgan opened “Morgan’s Better Used Cars” and introduced National City to a new breed of American car such as the Buick Roadmaster convertible.

Mile of Cars Timeline, 1949

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Mile of Cars – 1929 By the 1920s, National City was home to bootleggers and a frequent stop for Hollywood movie stars like Clark Gable and his Packard Twin Six roadster.

Mile of Cars Timeline, 1929

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Mile of Cars – 1912 Lilian Rice was the talk of the town as she drove her Cole 30/40 around National City. It made such a spectacle that she was featured in the society pages of the National City Record in 1912.

Mile of Cars Timeline, 1912

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Mile of Cars – 1910 Clarence and William Hunt opened a Ford dealership in 1904; and in 1910 were contracted to build the “Hunt Special” specifically to survive the rigors of the terrible roads in National City.

Mile of Cars Timeline, 1910

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Mile of Cars – 1905 Ralph Granger is the original owner of the home pictured below and was the first person to purchase an automobile in National City. His love of music also led him to purchase a large, expensive string collection in which he had a private music hall built. The restored music hall still stands today in National City and is listed on the National Registrar of Historic Places.

Mile of Cars, Ralph Granger's Home

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Mile of Cars -Opened in 1900 National City’s automotive heritage began in 1904 when Ralph Granger bought the first motor car in the city.

Mile of Cars, Ralph Granger