About Us

Clifford's son, C. Wayne, was twelve years old when the family came to Coeur d'Alene. He graduated from Coeur d'Alene High School in 1945 and after serving in the US Navy at Farragut Naval Base, he attended and graduated from the University of Idaho with a degree in Business Administration in 1950.

C. Wayne began his automotive career as a salesman for his father and uncle. In 1958, he was appointed Dealer by Chevrolet Motor Division of General Motors.

In 1966, C. Wayne and his uncle relocated the dealership from its downtown location to the east side of the 1700 block of North 4th Street. At the time the dealership was constructed, it shared the 1700 block with the Victory Inn and some housing. The dealership soon grew to encompass the entire 1700 block and the northeast corner of the 1700 block of 5th Street as well. Clifford E. Knudtsen died in 1968.

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C. Wayne Knudtsen purchased his uncle, Wayne G. Knudtsen's interest in Knudtsen Chevrolet in 1972. C. Wayne then became the sole shareholder in Knudtsen Chevrolet Co. Wayne G. Knudtsen passed away in 1974.

C. Wayne, now known simply as Wayne, remained the dealership's sole shareholder until 1983 when his daughter, Eve Knudtsen, purchased two percent of the company.

Eve had graduated from Coeur d'Alene High School in 1980 and had attended North Idaho College before pursuing degrees from Northwood University in Automotive Marketing, Economics and Management. She continued her automotive education while selling cars for her father by attending the National Automobile Dealer's Association (NADA) Dealer Candidate Academy. She graduated in 1987 while working as the dealership's business manager. Eve was promoted to General Manager in 1989.

The dealership's physical location expanded to include the middle of the east side of the 1800 block of North 4th Street in 1986. These lots became Knudtsen Chevrolet Used Cars in 1989.

Wayne was selected by his peers as the Idaho Time Quality Dealer of the Year. He was honored at the National Automobile Dealer Association Convention in New Orleans in 1986.

In 1993, Eve's ownership in the dealership increased and her brother, Eric Knudtsen who was the used vehicle sales manager, also acquired some ownership in the dealership.

During the same year, Wayne Knudtsen was honored by the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce as its Outstanding Citizen of the Year for his active participation in the community by serving the Chamber, United Way, Boy Scouts of America, Kootenai Medical Center Foundation as well as many other civic and professional organizations. Knudtsen Chevrolet was also honored by Chevrolet Motor Division as a Power in Partnership dealer and was made the focus of an hour-long broadcast via satellite to all 4800 Chevrolet dealers nationwide.

Wayne's son and Eve's brother, Eric Knudtsen joined Knudtsen Chevrolet in 1984 after graduating from Coeur d'Alene High School as a service consultant. He became a sales consultant in 1987 and was promoted to used vehicle sales manager in 1990. He attended and graduated from Northwood University in 1990 with an A.A. Degree in Automotive Marketing. He also attended the NADA Dealer Academy as he was finishing his A.A. Degree and graduated in 1990. In 1995, Wayne decided to semi-retire and Eve succeeded him with her appointment as Dealer by General Motors in October.

Eric elected to give up a management position in Knudtsen Chevrolet in 1998 and began his own wholesale brokerage, Redline Auto Sales. Today, he continues his employment as a buyer for Knudtsen Chevrolet Co. and serves on its board of directors as well as managing Redline Auto Sales.

Eve Knudtsen is currently the Dealer and President of Knudtsen Chevrolet Co.  She received the 2006 Time magazine Quality Dealer Award at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention in Orlando FL. Ms. Knudtsen was one of 66 nominated by a peer group of over 19,500 auto dealers nationwide. The coveted award is presented for excellence in dealer commitment to community service.

In addition to overseeing the daily operation of the dealership, she participates in the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce as an Associate Commodore and part of the Leadership Coeur d'Alene class of 2000, serves on the North Idaho College Foundation, the Better Business Bureau Board of Directors, the Kootenai Medical Center Foundation Planned Giving Committee, the 2000 Idaho State Junior Miss program committee and the Kootenai County Child Injury Prevention Coalition.

The dealership actively supports the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce, Post Falls Chamber of Commerce, St. Maries Chamber of Commerce, North Idaho College, Northwood University, Coeur d'Alene High School athletics, Lake City High School athletics, Lakeland High School athletics, Post Falls High School athletics, Kootenai Medical Center Foundation, Children's Village, Boy Scouts of America, Coeur d'Alene Junior Miss, United Way, Hospice of North Idaho, Coeur d'Alene Park and Recreation and many other civic, educational and athletic organizations, especially those for young people.
 

Knudtsen Chevrolet Co. in partnership with General Motors also sponsors the General Motors Marketing Internship (GMMI) offered to North Idaho College students and the GM Lab at Coeur d'Alene High School offered through its DECA classes.