At A.W. Golden Auto, please review our extensive inventory of Chevrolet Cadillac Isuzu Pontiac Saturn cars, trucks, and SUV's, including the Chevrolet Corvette, Cadillac Escalade, Isuzu i-350, Pontiac Solstice, and Saturn Ion. We work hard to get you into the vehicle you have always wanted. That new Chevrolet, Cadillac, Isuzu, Pontiac, or Saturn is waiting for you, and we work with a vast array of lending sources to make sure you will get the most complete and comprehensive financial package available in Reading, PA.

Manufacturer recommended parts are an important part of maintaining your vehicle's optimum performance. At A.W. Golden Auto, we offer the same high quality parts your vehicle was built with, and we keep a large inventory of OEM certified parts in stock at our Reading, PA facility.

A.W. Golden Auto service department strives for 100% customer satisfaction. From general maintenance such as oil changes to major repairs, let A.W. Golden Auto service your vehicle. Our dealership is one of the premier dealerships in the country. Our commitment to customer service is second to none. We offer one of the most comprehensive parts and service department in the automotive industry.

At A.W. Golden Auto, we strive to make buying or leasing a new vehicle a pleasant and rewarding experience.

Our primary concern is the satisfaction of our customers. Our online dealership was created to enhance the buying experience for each and every one of our internet customers. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us or call our Internet Department at 610-796-5680.

The Early Years

Albert W. Golden, Sr. began his automobile business in December of 1919 following military service during World War I. Located on Bingaman Street in Reading, his first efforts involved buying and selling used cars as well as new cars manufactured by firms whose existence was short lived.

In 1923 Mr. Golden, Sr. was awarded the Oakland Motor Car Division Franchise by General Motors and relocated to 117 South Fifth Street, Reading. In 1926 Oakland introduced a companion car called the Pontiac. By 1932 the popularity of the Pontiac had eclipsed that of the Oakland. As a result the Oakland nameplate was discontinued and the name of the company was changed to Pontiac Motor Division.

Pontiac continued to enjoy sales success through the 30's, 40's and into the 50's making well built but never very exciting cars. An important turning point in Pontiac history occurred in 1956 when Semon E. (Bunky) Knudsen was named General Manger of the Pontiac Motor Division. The son of a former president of General Motors, Mr. Knudsen believed you can sell an old man a young man's car, but you can't sell a young man an old man's car.

With that, he ordered the twin silver streaks which graced the hoods of Pontiacs for many years removed for the 1957 models as a statement that Pontiac would never be the same again. During the '57 model year he introduced the fuel injected Bonneville and Pontiacs performance image that exists today was born!

Mr. Knudsen was followed as Pontiac General Manager by Elliot M. (Pete) Estes, who went on to become a president of General Motors, and the colorful John Z. Delorean. It was during this era that Pontiac introduced the GTO, the Grand Prix and the Firebird while becoming the major force on the nascar racing circuit and earning 3rd place in sales among all makes.

Pontiac lost it's way somewhat during the seventies as the energy panics caused people to be more interested in fuel economy than performance. Today Pontiac's image as a car company that builds exciting cars known for outstanding road abilty and performance is firmly in place.

In 1932 Mr. Golden, Sr. received the Cadillac Motor Car Division Franchise from General Motors. Mr. Golden was reluctant to take on Cadillac because the cars were not selling well in the midst of the great depression and the previous dealer had gone broke. The financial investment was considerable because General Motors required that the franchise be located in a separate facility. His friends at General Motors persuaded him to sign the franchise agreement and the building at 124 South Fifth Street was purchased as the Cadillac showroom.

The business survived World War II which was significant since there were no new cars to sell because all assembly plants were producing products for the war effort. When World War II ended, Albert W. Golden, Jr. joined his father in the business, and the years after the war were busy meeting the pent up demand for automobiles.

The Post War Years

The year 1948 was a significant one for Cadillac and Cadillac dealers. In addition to introducing a completely new car, Cadillac displaced packard as the best selling luxury car in america.

A high point in the career of Mr. Golden, Sr. occurred in October of 1955 when the dealership building at 801 Lancaster Avenue was opened. The site has long been regarded as the most important automobile retailing location in the area. Mr. Golden's foresight and confidence in the future of the automobile business is evidenced by the fact that even though the business has grown substantially over the years, the building he built in 1955 still serves the business well. It is still the largest automobile sales and service facility under one roof in the area!

The Modern Era

Albert W. Golden, III joined his father and grandfather at the dealership in March of 1969 following graduation from Syracuse University. Albert began as a salesman and later became New Car Sales Manager, General Sales Manager and General Manager of the dealership. Three generations of the Golden family were active in managing the dealership until February of 1974 when Mr. Golden, Sr. died at the age of 81 and Mr. Golden Jr. became President of the company.

In December of 1981 the Goldens signed a franchise agreement with American Isuzu Motors to sell Isuzu pick-up trucks. In 1984 the Isuzu Trooper four wheel drive utility vehicles were added to the line followed by the Rodeo in 1991. Isuzu earned their reputation for durability by designing vehicles for use in developing countries where off-road dependability is a must. In November of 1985 the Isuzu moved to 401 Lancaster Avenue next to the existing used car center. This facility provided the room needed to maximize sales of Isuzu vehicles. A major renovation of the building was completed in 1988.

Mr. Golden, Jr. retired from the dealership in September of 1984 and Albert. W. Golden, III became President.

In 1989 Albert's daughter Kathryn (Kate) and her husband Laurence (Larry) Goodman joined the dealership. Today, Kate and Larry together with Robert K. Seitzinger, who joined the company in 1983, are responsible for the daily management of the dealerships.

Robert is the General Service Manager, responsible for the service department, collision repair center, parts department and vehicle appearance conditioning department. The four departments employ more than 60 people including over 40 skilled and experienced technicians.

Kate is the Chief Financial Officer responsible for all administration and accounting functions. Larry is General Sales Manager leading a team of nearly 40 sales people and sales managers.

Growth of the business took a major step forward in September 1991 when General Motors awarded a Chevrolet Franchise to Albert Golden. The Chevrolet Franchise was located at the site of the Golden Isuzu dealership at 401 Lancaster Avenue. A second major renovation of the building was completed in September 1992. Golden Isuzu is now located at 1133 Lancaster Avenue. The building was built as a Schell's Restaurant in the 1960's and later housed several branch banks. The adjoining martens real estate property was purchased in 1994. The office building was demolished and the lot graded and paved. This addition doubled the number of cars and trucks displayed at Golden Isuzu allowing for the expansion of used car and truck sales at the location.

With the addition of the Isuzu location the company became known as the Golden Dealerships.

During 2000 the parts department was remodeled installing new bin and drawer storage systems, new lighting and adding an expanded retail space along with improved office area and new computer systems. In 2000 the former precision tune property at 812 New Holland Road, directly across from the main 801 Lancaster Avenue location, was purchased to expand the A. W. Golden Collision Center. The building, which has five work bays and an office, was renovated inside and out including adding the latest collision repair equipment. The office is now used as a convenient drive-in estimating center for our customers. The expanded A. W. Golden Collision Center has a total of 12,500 square feet with 28 work bays. To take advantage of the growing used car and truck business the former Gulf gasoline station at the intersection of Lancaster Avenue and New Holland Road, right across the street from the 801 Lancaster Avenue facility was purchased in 2000. Renovations included a modern interior office and display areas, new rest rooms, outdoor lighting system, signs, and paving of the lot. The Kurtz House, for many years was one of the best known hotels in the county, stood on the site for 80 years until it was demolished in 1951 to make way for the Gulf station. Featured at the new location are GM Certified Used Trucks and is called A. W. Golden Truck Lot.

In March 2002 General Motors approved moving the Chevrolet Franchise to 801 Lancaster Avenue (where the Pontiacs were) and the Pontiac Franchise to 401 Lancaster Avenue (where the Chevrolets were). During 2001 the vacant lot at the rear of 801 Lancaster Avenue was paved and fenced with new lighting installed for the display and storage of over 200 vehicles making it possible to display our entire Chevrolet car and truck inventory at one location.

In July 2002 the 17,000 square feet building at 618 Gregg Avenue, Reading was acquired to house the new wholesale parts distribution center. A. W. Golden is the largest distributor of GM parts in Berks and surrounding counties with an inventory of over $1,100,000.

In March 2003 KGG, Inc., owned by Kathryn G. Goodman, purchased Saturn of Reading and A. W. Golden, inc. purchased Bayliss Oldsmobile, both at 2526 Centre Avenue, Muhlenberg township, from Kenneth T. Bayliss. The Oldsmobile Franchise was terminated. A. W. Golden Pontiac and GM Certified Used Vehicle Center is now located at the site. A. W. Golden Pontiac operates the 18 stall GM Goodwrench Service Center, the 28,000 square feet Goodwrench Auto Body Center. The auto body facility is the largest in Berks county. Mr. Bayliss purchased the Oldsmobile business, then located at 440 North Fourth Street, Reading, in 1969 from Harvey Golden, brother of A. W. Golden, Sr. Mr. Bayliss moved the Oldsmobile business to 2526 Centre Avenue in 1979. He acquired the Saturn Franchise in 1991 and built the 12,000 square feet Saturn sales and service facility. Mr. Bayliss expanded the former Oldsmobile facility several times over the years, most recently in 1997 when the current two story parts department, customer accommodations and offices were built after the original, smaller structure was destroyed by fire in December 1996.

As we look to the future our goals are to provide outstanding market representation for the manufacturers we represent, provide financially rewarding and personally satisfying career opportunities for our people while maintaining high standards of service and customer satisfaction for our customers.