- Car Dealership Guy News
- Posts
- Dealer Ernie Boch, Jr. delivers commencement speech to Northwood University's Class of 2025
Dealer Ernie Boch, Jr. delivers commencement speech to Northwood University's Class of 2025
CDG News Alert (1 min. read)
Anna del Villar
May 29, 2025
Ernie Boch, Jr,
Driving the news: Ernie Boch Jr. delivered a commencement speech to Northwood University's Class of 2025, telling graduates to "always get in the car" and sharing lessons from his family's three-generation automotive business.
For context: The Subaru of New England CEO spoke at the May 10 ceremony about how his grandfather started their company in 1938. Back then, second-generation automotive businesses had a 30% success rate, which dropped to just 12% by the time Boch took over. Despite those odds, the family business is now worth billions.
Why it matters: Boch's core message was about surrounding yourself with talent rather than trying to be the smartest person around. "The people that you surround yourself with will be your success," he told graduates. Beyond running Subaru, Ferrari, and Maserati dealerships across New England, he's made his mark through philanthropy with Music Drives Us and founding a medical center in Uganda.
Big picture: Boch’s philosophy of taking calculated risks and surrounding yourself with great people—could be exactly what the next generation of automotive leaders needs to hear as they enter one of the most transformative periods in the industry's history.
Outsmart the Car Market in 5 Minutes a Week
No-BS insights, built for car dealers. Free, fast, and trusted by 95,000+ auto pros.
Subscribe now — it’s free.
Reply