Today we’d like to introduce you to Keith Landon.
Hi Keith, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m 37 years old, and I started Endeavor Auto Sales 16 years ago at just 21—two weeks before graduating college with a bachelor’s degree in business. Cars have always been a part of my life. As a kid, I looked forward to weekly trips to Toys“R”Us to pick out Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars, and I would grab Auto Shopper magazines at the supermarket, imagining the day I’d be the one buying and selling vehicles.
I come from a third-generation automotive family, but I’m the first to focus on vehicle sales rather than repairs. Even early on, I knew I wanted to build something of my own within the industry.
When I first started, I only had about five cars in inventory at any given time. Over the years, that has grown to roughly ten times that amount, a reflection of how far the business has come. Along the way, I’ve built relationships with lenders that allow me to work with both prime and subprime credit, helping a wide range of customers get into vehicles that fit their needs and situations.
The automotive sales business isn’t easy. It carries a stigma—many customers walk in guarded, expecting pressure or feeling like they might be taken advantage of. From the beginning, I wanted to do things differently. Shortly after I opened, I was quoted in a 2010 Courier News article saying, “Most dealers are fast talkers. I don’t push anybody. If they’re interested, they’re interested.” That philosophy still defines how I operate today.
I believe that approach is why a large portion of my business comes from repeat customers and referrals. Trust and transparency go a long way in this industry, and I’ve built my business around both.
In 2020, when my father retired, I took over his automotive repair shop, which he had run for over 30 years. I combined his operation with mine, expanding the business to include both sales and service under one name: Endeavor Auto Sales & Car Care. Bringing those two sides together has allowed me to offer customers a more complete and reliable automotive experience—something I take a lot of pride in continuing as part of my family’s legacy.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road—no business ever really is, especially not in this industry. The automotive business comes with unique challenges because you’re selling a pre-owned product made up of thousands of parts that you didn’t manufacture. At the same time, customers often judge you based on the vehicle itself rather than the service, transparency, and support you provide behind it.
One of the biggest challenges came after the COVID-19 pandemic. Inventory became extremely difficult to source, and used car prices increased significantly. That shift changed the market in a major way, and the effects are still being felt today. It forced us to adapt quickly—being more strategic with purchasing, pricing, and how we deliver value to customers.
There have also been the everyday challenges of building trust in an industry that doesn’t always have the best reputation. Overcoming that means consistently doing right by people, standing behind what we sell, and focusing on long-term relationships rather than short-term transactions.
While the road hasn’t been easy, those challenges have ultimately made the business stronger and more resilient.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Endeavor Auto Sales & Car Care focuses on providing newer, affordable, late-model vehicles with lower mileage for people who simply need reliable transportation. My goal is to make the car-buying process straightforward and accessible, whether someone has excellent credit or is working through financial challenges—I work with both prime and subprime customers to help find the right fit.
What truly sets me apart is how I approach sales. I believe in being honest and transparent from the start. There are no high-pressure tactics, no pricing games, and no misleading advertising just to get someone in the door. I focus on creating a comfortable, no-pressure environment where customers can make the right decision for themselves.
I’m also proud to offer both sales and service under one roof. With the addition of the repair shop, I’m able to support my customers beyond the purchase, helping them maintain their vehicles and build long-term trust.
Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is the reputation I’ve built. A large portion of my business comes from repeat customers and referrals, which speaks to the experience people have with me. I’ve built my name on trust, reliability, and doing right by my customers—and that’s something I work hard to maintain every day.
At the end of the day, I want people to know that I’m here to make buying and owning a vehicle as simple, honest, and stress-free as possible.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The automotive industry is always evolving, and I think that will continue over the next 5–10 years. One of the biggest shifts I’m seeing is more people moving toward buying cars online from large, national companies rather than working with local independent dealerships. I understand the convenience of that model, but at the same time, buying a used vehicle is often one of the biggest purchases someone will make—sometimes second only to their home.
Because of that, I believe there will always be real value in seeing and driving a vehicle in person, being able to inspect it firsthand, and working directly with someone you can call, meet, and build a relationship with. There’s a level of trust and accountability that comes with that experience that’s hard to replicate online.
I think the future will be a balance between convenience and personal service. Technology will continue to play a bigger role, but independent dealers who focus on transparency, customer relationships, and hands-on service will continue to stand out. My focus is on adapting where needed while still holding onto the personal approach that customers appreciate and rely on.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.EndeavorAutos.com
