Mass. auto dealers honor Chambers

By Jerry Kronenberg  |   Monday, March 3, 2008  |  http://www.bostonherald.com

The National Automotive Dealers Association recently honored car baron Herb Chambers as Massachusetts' nominee for 2008 "Time Magazine Dealer of the Year."

Conducted every year at NADA's annual convention, the competition recognizes one dealer from every state and local association for a mix of sales success and charity work.

California dealer Timothy Smith won the overall national title.

But Dana Goodfield of the Massachusetts State Automobile Dealers Association said his group tapped Chambers as the Bay State's nominee based on a combination of "a keen eye for acquisition, franchising and marketing" and "a strong and sustained commitment to community support."

In business terms, Chambers' 44 dealerships last year sold some 50,000 vehicles worth nearly $2 billion, making him New England's No. 1 car salesman.

As for charitable efforts, Chambers donated extensively in 2007 to Children's Hospital, the Boston Medical Center, the Joey Fund for Cystic Fibrosis and other groups.

Chambers said that winning a nomination from his peers "is probably the greatest compliment you can get, because these are people who fight the same battles every day that you do. I think it's a great compliment that they'd have this kind of respect for what we've accomplished."