By Lisa Browning

(Photo Courtesy: Hemborg Ford)
Hemborg Ford is located at 1900 Hamner Avenue in Norco. Visit them at Hemborgford.com.

It’s been 112 years since Henry Ford first incorporated and the Ford Motor Company was born. Today, it’s one of the most popular vehicle brands in the country, and there are an estimated 3,800 Ford dealerships across the nation. Hemborg Ford, nestled in Norco, was opened by Bob Hemborg in March of 1983. They’ve been serving up a special brand of service for 32 years.

The dealership is the very definition of a family-owned and operated business; the Hemborg family started it, and they still own and run it today. Their commitment to customers and the surrounding communities is how they separate themselves from other dealerships in the region.

“It starts with a great product,” says General Sales Manager, Daryle Uhrich. “We certainly have that with the Ford line-up. But, you have to go beyond that. There’s no lack of Ford dealers in the region. The Hemborg family insists that the experience a customer receives here is friendly, and helpful. We’re old school in that sense; we don’t hassle, we handshake.”

Uhrich pulls up an online comment from a customer and reads it out loud. “Best car buying experience we have ever had. Can’t say enough about the sales person; honest, funny, fair, patient. Will be coming back.”  Ulrich smiles, adding with emphasis, “That is exactly what we want to hear!”

An experienced, knowledgeable staff pays close attention to the enormous inventory of F-Series trucks that are a staple. The Ford F-Series has been the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. for nearly 40 years. More than 2,000 are sold in the U.S. every day, and a great deal of truck business comes Hemborg’s way. The Truck Center is a huge section of the dealership, with row after row of gleaming workhorses.

“Norco is known as ‘Horse Town USA,’ and trucks are part of the lifestyle here,” Uhrich says.

Ford’s tagline is “Go Further,” while Hemborg’s tagline is a tongue-in-cheek nod to its surroundings, “Saddle Up!”

Not everything at Hemborg is old school. When the dealership first opened, there wasn’t a freeway within sight, and many current neighborhoods didn’t exist. The dealership has expanded to meet the growing needs of Norco, Corona, Chino and now Eastvale. Today, Hemborg’s service department maintains state-of-the-art diagnostics and highly skilled technicians. To accommodate the growing number of shoppers who turn to the Internet to browse and buy, Hemborg has invested in a comprehensive, user-friendly site.

Hemborg Ford supports a variety of local events, area schools and charitable organizations.

“You can treat your business address as just your location. The Hemborg way is to treat it like your home,” Uhrich says.

Asked what Hemborg’s goal is for 2015, Uhrich replies, “The same as it was last year. To be the Ford customer’s best friend.”

Hemborg Ford is located at 1900 Hamner Avenue. They are north of the 91/15 freeway interchange, at the Second Street exit in Norco. You can visit them online at Hemborgford.com.