Having just turned 80 and still putting in 60 hours a week at his dealership, Al MacPhee could be nearing the point where he stops working full-time. MacPhee, who has been in the automotive industry for 60 years and will celebrate his 40th year owning and operating a dealership in 2023, said there is a succession plan in place for his son, Andrew, to take over the family-owned MacPhee Ford in Dartmouth, N.S. Andrew is listed as the Dealer Principal.
“I’d say we’re Co-Principals, but he will be the Principal as soon as he and Ford finish up their paperwork in whatever time it takes,” said MacPhee in an interview with Canadian auto dealer. “It’s pretty essential in a family to have a succession plan. We’re in the process now. I may always occupy an office here, but I may stop dealing directly with customers.”
Until that time comes, he is happy to keep active as a dealer.
“I’m not much for hobbies,” said MacPhee. “I’m not really a golfer or a sailor. I’m just a car man.”
He has had a celebrated career in the car business beyond just owning a dealership. He is a Past Chairman of the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association, Past President of the Nova Scotia Dealers Association and Halifax/Dartmouth Dealers Association. He has also served on almost every General Motors Advisory Board and Communication Team.
In 2013, he received the CADA Laureate Dealer Recognition Award. In 2018, he was recognized as a Ford Motor Company Salute To Dealers Honoree, one of only six Dealer Principals from Ford’s global network.
He is also Chairman of Leader Auto Resources, which distributes a range of products and services to North American dealers.
He said what motivates him every day are his “wonderful customers, great staff and friendly people.” He also praised the manufacturers he’s worked with over the years, saying they’ve all been “pretty reasonable.”
He is known for his philanthropy, donating all he earns on a yearly basis to charity. He and his wife, Mary, are involved in the MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning, a non-profit charitable organization which provides an alternative education model for youth in marginalized and disadvantaged circumstances.
He has also financially backed many managers who worked for him that needed funding to own their own dealership but didn’t qualify for a bank loan.
“I just knew they were good managers in my business and when it was time to move on I did the investment with them and they all paid me back,” said MacPhee. “They were deserving of it. They weren’t born into the business, but they were hard workers and good, decent, honest, upstanding people.”
