The Jeff Wyler Automotive Family reached a milestone today — 50 years in business.

In that span, the Ohio-based dealer group has grown from a small Chevrolet dealership in Batavia to 23 locations in Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton and Louisville, Ky., representing more than 40 brands and selling more than 45,000 cars per year.

The original Chevy store was opened in 1973 by Jeff Wyler, a 32-year-old Army veteran, during the Arab oil embargo with an inventory full of gas-guzzling cars.

“There was never another goal than to succeed and grow,” Wyler said. “My focus was to first survive, but to continue to grow until I owned two or three dealerships.”

Wyler embraced TV advertising, creating the slogan, “Cars, like eggs, are cheaper in the country,” which became his dealerships’ calling card for decades. The company said he was one of the first dealers to embrace the auto mall concept, allowing shoppers to choose from multiple brands at one location.

“As a family-owned and operated dealership, we take immense pride in our five decades of serving our communities,” said David Wyler, Jeff’s son and president of Jeff Wyler Automotive Family. “Our dealerships built their reputations and successes on the foundation of impeccable customer service. We take great pride in continuing the Wyler legacy. It is an honor and a responsibility we do not take lightly.”

The Jeff Wyler Automotive Family currently employs almost 2,500 people. The company said it has been an innovator in automotive e-commerce with WylerComplete, the Midwest’s first platform allowing customers to buy a car 100% online, and it completed first cryptocurrency transaction for a car in the U.S.

Jeff Wyler said his company’s goal now is simple.

“We look not to only grow, but to always become more consumer-facing,” he said. “Putting the customer first has always been a core value of our business.

“Growing to 23 locations across the past 50 years has been a reflection of the incredibly hard work of our team, which has been rewarded by the fantastic people who have done business with us. Each one of them is part of the Jeff Wyler Automotive Family and is part of our success.”