Local car dealer honored

WANTAGE — Eric Neilsen, the dealer principal of Nielsen Automotive, which includes Franklin Sussex Hyundai and the Franklin Sussex Automall, was recently selected as New Jersey's 2019 TIME Dealer of the Year.
The award recognizes new vehicle dealers in the United States for exceptional performance in their dealerships, combined with distinguished community service.
Nominations are submitted by The New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers, and a winner is chosen by the committee, made up of the coalition chariman and all past winners.
A nominee must be a member of the National Automobile Dealer Association and the coalition for at least five years. In addition, the individual should spend at least 60 percent of his or her time involved in dealership affairs. Nielsen will represent New Jersey in the National competition, which takes place at the national dealer association convention in San Francisco from Jan. 24-27, 2019.
Nielsen started his career in auto retailing as a part-time lot employee in the late 1970s, while attending Technical School. He advanced through the ranks and, in 1982, became the dealer principal of Dover Chrysler Plymouth. He hasn’t looked back in the last 35 years, adding Dover Dodge, Franklin Sussex Auto Mall, Franklin Sussex Hyundai, Nielsen Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, Nielsen Chevrolet and Nielsen Ford to his portfolio of dealerships.
Beyond his considerable business success, Nielsen demonstrates the generosity of those in the auto retailing industry, always ready to help a friend or organization in need. He supports many charities, including the March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, as well as many local schools and hospitals.
Nielsen has also shown his commitment to the New Jersey auto retailing community serving, not one, but two terms as NJ CAR Chairman, one of the few individuals to do so in our 100-year history.