Prominent Indiana auto dealer dies

INDIANAPOLIS (Inside Indiana Buisness) - A well-known Indiana auto dealer has died. Tom Wood Auto Group Chief Executive Officer Tom Wood passed away Thursday this morning after being diagnosed with cancer approximately three years ago. He would have been 78 later this week.

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Larry Heid says Wood is proof that you can be a successful businessman and a good person.

Wood started in the auto business in Michigan shortly after leaving college by selling Edsels.

He and a partner owned a used car lot for roughly five years, before Wood got an opportunity that brought him to Indiana.
He purchased his first new car franchise on East Washington Street in Indianapolis in 1967.

The business eventually grew into 17 franchises involving several auto brands.

In addition to Indianapolis and Anderson, Tom Wood Inc. also placed dealerships in Lexington, Kentucky and Richfield, Minnesota.

The company employs more than 500.
 

From our partner: Inside INdiana Business