Six Decades of Automotive Excellence
Explore the remarkable history of the Future Automotive Group, where over 60 years of award-winning service, dedication, and growth have shaped our journey. Join us in honoring our past and looking forward to a bright future ahead in the automotive industry.
1942
Gene Pleau joined the Marines to fight World War II in the South Pacific and Battle of Iwo Jima. He served his country proudly and with distinction, earning a Bronze Star Medal for heroism and 2 Purple Heart awards.
1945
After returning home from the war, Gene ran a service station in Lafayette, CA, before transitioning into the automotive industry, selling Fords at a local dealership. Over time, his hard work and dedication led him to become the General Manager of Rett White Ford.
1963
Gene had the opportunity to buy into Burton Motors, a Ford dealership in Sacramento, prompting him to move his family from the East Bay Area to the Central Valley. Eventually, he purchased the remaining shares and renamed the dealership Downtown Ford. During his summer breaks, his teenage son, Steve, worked at the dealership washing cars, getting his first glimpse into the automotive business. In the mid-70s, Gene and his team relocated Downtown Ford to 16th Street. Gene owned the dealership until late 1999, when he sold it to his General Manager, Ray Enos.
1969
After graduating from Sacramento State University and serving in the California National Guard for 6 years, Steve started his full-time career at Downtown Ford in the finance and insurance department, later being promoted to the position of General Sales Manager.
1981
Steve opened Future Ford, located on Riverside Avenue in Roseville, with Gene as a minority owner. The family legacy continued with Steve’s 13 year old son, Geoff, as his first job as a “lot boy” was picking up trash an cleaning the restrooms at the new dealership.
1982
Steve joined the Greater Sacramento New Car Dealers Association as director in February.
1988
Future Nissan opened down the street from Future Ford on Riverside Avenue.
1989
The development of the Roseville Automall began as the first of its kind. Today, the Roseville Automall is home to 14 dealerships. It includes a wide variety of brands, from domestic to import, offering a huge selection of both new and pre-owned vehicles.
1991
Both Future Ford and Future Nissan relocated to the Roseville Automall, opening their doors to customers in April of 1991.
1992
Geoff formally joined his father and grandfather in the car business at Future Ford and Future Nissan. He later graduated from the National Automobile Dealers Association Dealer Candidate Academy.
1995
Bill Walsh joined the organization at Future Nissan, and eventually moved over to Future Ford where he’d later advance to the General Manager for several years.
2001
The first Future Fleet Commercial Service Center opened on Taylor Road in Roseville. This 9 acre property and 50,000 square foot building allowed for overflow of vehicle inventory for Future Ford and Future Nissan, plus a place to service fleet units.
2002
The Future Automotive Group expanded south to the California Central Valley, opening Future Ford of Clovis in May.
2003
2003
Future Kia of Clovis opened in August, next door to the Future Ford dealership.
2005
Future Ford of Sacramento (previously known as Suburban Ford) on Madison Avenue opened with Ford, Hino and Isuzu franchises.
2005
Geoff and Bill became partners in the Future Automotive Group with Steve.
2007
Gene Pleau passed away on May 6th after having dedicated over 40 years to Ford and the automotive industry. His principles and ideology still remain instrumental today to the growth of the Future Automotive Group.
2008
Future Hyundai of Concord opened next door to the Ford store. This was Steve and Henry’s second dealership partnership and their second location in Concord.
2009
In a strategic move to expand luxury vehicle offers, Future Ford of Concord successfully acquired a Lincoln franchise enhancing its dealership portfolio. The following year, Future Ford of Roseville follows suits and acquires its own Lincoln franchise. These expansions further strengthened the market presence in the East Bay Area and Greater Sacramento Region.
2011
Henry Hansel and Steve Pleau acquired a Ford dealership in Kalispell, Montana. The dealership, Valley Ford, remained a part of the Future Automotive Group until 2016.
2011
Henry Hansel and Steve Pleau acquired a Ford dealership in Kalispell, Montana. The dealership, Valley Ford, remained a part of the Future Automotive Group until 2016.
2011
The Greater Sacramento New Car Dealers Association named Steve Pleau its 2011 New Car Dealer of the Year, during the association’s annual luncheon.
2011
On December 16th, there was extensive fire damage to the service department at Future Ford of Clovis. The building was gutted and work quickly moved to two other buildings to resume business.
2012
In January, the Future Fleet Center of Clovis opened allowing the team to service commercial/ fleet vehicles and offer RV repairs.
2012
The Future Automotive Group had the opportunity to acquire an existing Nissan dealership in the Folsom Automall, leading to the opening of Future Nissan of Folsom and expanding their presence in the local market.
2015
Future Ford of Clovis completed construction on a new 42,000 square foot facility and their old building was demolished. They celebrated their notable re-grand opening in June.
2016
Future Ford Lincoln of Roseville, Future Ford Lincoln of Concord, Future Ford of Sacramento and Future Ford of Clovis were all recipients of the Ford President’s Award. This was the first time in the history of Ford Motor Company, four Ford dealerships from the same automotive group won the President’s Award.
2016
Bill Walsh was awarded the Industry Person of the Year by the Greater Sacramento New Car Dealers Association.
2018
Steve was inducted into the Ford Dealership Hall of Fame at the 2018 Top 100 Volume Summit in Laguna Beach. He was the sixth inductee who joined the prestigious group.
2019
Future Chevrolet opened on Madison Avenue, one block down the street from Future Ford of Sacramento.
2020
Future Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Concord opened in January. This was the third dealership location in Concord.
2020
On March 6th, shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic and stay at home orders Future Toyota of Yuba City opened. This marked the Future Automotive Group’s 11th dealership.
2021
In April, Geoff was promoted to COO & President of the Future Automotive Group. Bill was also promoted to President of Sales & Service for the Greater Sacramento Region to oversee the Roseville, Sacramento, Folsom and Yuba City locations.
2021
Future Ford Lincoln of Roseville celebrated their 40th anniversary, and 21 consecutive years as the #1 volume Ford dealership in Northern California on April 15th, 2021.
2021
Future Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Fairfield opened in the Fairfield Auto Mall in the Spring.
2022
Future Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Concord moved into a newly constructed building at 2121 Diamond Boulevard in March. Future Ford of Concord Commercial Vehicle Center opened on the same property, in a building next door.
2022
The Future Automotive Group purchased a Honda dealership in Citrus Heights, and opened for business on May 4th. Future Honda is the 13th dealership and 23rd franchise in the group.
2022
Future Hyundai of Concord moved over to the Marsh Drive property into their newly constructed dealership in August.
2022
October marked the Future Automotive Group’s first annual initiative in supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Proudly raising over $12.5K for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Sacramento.
2022
The Future Automotive Group celebrates a milestone anniversary – 60 years of business!
2023
Steve and Geoff Pleau are featured in Sactown Magazine’s family-owned businesses edition in the March/ April 2023 issue and highlight the longevity of their team.
2023
Future Toyota of Yuba City is announced as a 2022 Toyota President’s Award winner for the first time in the dealership’s history.
2023
After a multi-phase project at our Concord locations, Future Lincoln of Concord moves into their new dealership in May 2023. They are conveniently located next door to Future Ford of Concord. This marks the Future Automotive Group’s 14th dealership!
2024
Steve Pleau is announced as a 2024 TIME Dealer of the Year nominee, selected by the California New Car Dealers Associated. TIME and Ally awarded him this national recognition for his community service and automotive industry accomplishments.
2024
Steve was presented the Greater Sacramento Economic Council’s Distinguished Service Award by his longtime friend and GSEC Board Member Dave Lucchetti (Executive Chairman of the Board of Pacific Coast Building Products).This recognition was given to Steve for his exceptional contributions in giving back to the community, as well as his demonstration of exemplary leadership and achievement in the auto industry.
2024
The Future Automotive Group celebrates its 30th Annual Golf Scramble. 80 managers from the Greater Sacramento Region dealerships gathered over 4 days for friendly competition and camaraderie. This annual event and tradition gives leaders the opportunity to strengthen connections and collaboration efforts.
2024
The Future Automotive Group’s Greater Sacramento Region dealerships introduced new, innovative video inspection reports for service customers. This allows customers to have complete transparency and be empowered with knowledge from bumper to bumper and under the hood.
