Kerlin Motor Co. has won the Ford Motor Co.’s President’s Award for the fourth year in a row and seventh overall. Representatives with Ford presented Kerlin owners Rick Kerlin and Valerie Warner with a plaque on Monday, June 3. Shown from left are Ford CX Manager for the Detroit Region Amanda Agnello, Kerlin, Warner and Ford Service Performance Zone Manager for the Detroit Region Sydney Rathburn.

Text and Photos
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

SILVER LAKE — Kerlin Motor Co. has received the President’s Award from Ford Motor Co. for the fourth year in a row.

Ford Service Performance Zone Manager for the Detroit Region Sydney Rathburn and CX Manager for the Detroit Region Amanda Agnello presented Kerlin’s owners Rick Kerlin and Valerie Warner with a plaque on Monday, June 3. It’s the seventh time overall the dealership has received the President’s Award.

According to information from Ford, only 10% of dealerships were selected for the 2023 award.

Kerlin Ford was started in 1927 by Kerlin and Warner’s grandfather Russel Kerlin. Russel’s children then ran it, including Ted Kerlin, Rick and Valerie’s father.

Agnello noted how long the dealership had been in existence.

“One thing that hasn’t changed is Kerlin Motors’ commitment to their customers and customer satisfaction, their commitment to their community, and that’s really what we’re here to celebrate today,” she said. “This award is a testament to all your hard work that you do, day in and day out. Working in the dealership is not a 9-to-5 job: this is something that you take home with you, that follows you.”

Agnello said Kerlin Motor Co. last year “sold 277 new Ford vehicles” in addition to completing numerous repairs.

After reading some praises from customers, she said Kerlin has “earned … customer loyalty by going above and beyond and really making above and beyond the standard of this dealership.”

“I just want to say, to all my team, it is definitely a total team effort, and it takes everybody in the dealership to make this happen, and the thing I’m most proud of or most thankful for is the fact that you’re taking care of our customers. That’s really what matters first,” said Rick. “I really just want to thank everybody. I really appreciate it.”

Valerie agreed that it was the whole team working together, which led to the award. Twenty-six people are employed at Kerlin.

“I know that this makes Grandpa proud and Dad. Thank you everybody,” she said.

Rick added after the presentation that “it’s a real honor because there really are not a lot of dealerships that receive the award.”

Kerlin and Warner pose with their employees.