Kia dealership in Bridgewater, NJ

A tradition of excellence at Kemper Auto for 76 years!

Kemper Pontiac-Cadillac and Kemper Kia has earned an outstanding reputation for service and customer satisfaction for 76 years. The dealership history involves four brothers- John, Paul, Greg, and Tom Kemper-whose key to success has been following the basic principles their father and uncle established when they first opened the dealership. The two partners believed “a satisfied customer always returns” and used this philosophy as the foundation for their business.

It was the spring of 1941, a time of unexpected opportunity for two young men from New Brunswick, N.J. Ben Kemper, a salesman for Dietz Motors in New Brunswick was offered the opportunity to purchase a Pontiac and Cadillac dealership, Security Motors, in Bound Brook. Ben immediately contacted his good friend and brother-in-law, the late Nick Krauszer, and presented the potential business venture to his new partner. The two young entrepreneurs were anxious to become automobile dealers but they faced one problem-not enough cash. The purchase price was $10,000. 00 and they each had only $3,000.00.

Ben and Nick were resourceful and determined. They were able to convince the Pontiac regional manager to advance the additional money needed to purchase the dealership.The two determined entrepreneurs faced many challenges to success beginning with the very first year when they discovered the true reason the previous owner sold out was because of the upcoming war. 

Early in 1942 Ben was drafted into the Army and Nick went to work for the war effort at Mack Motors. Their exciting aspirations quickly turned to doomed desperation as they had no choice but to close the dealership. They had received a letter from General Motors informing them to reopen or to surrender the franchise.

Closing the dealership was a difficult blow, but losing the franchise would be devastating. They had to re-open, but how? Ben’s wife, Genevieve reopened the dealership in their absence with just 2 body shop repairmen. And after a full day of work at Mack Motors, Nick would arrive at the dealership and repair cars at night.

In spite of this seemingly hopeless situation, Genevieve managed to construct a new showroom and repair facility without any cash. The struggle continued until the spring of 1945 when the war ended and the two partners were reunited and able to pursue their dream. Their initial post-war enthusiasm was stifled because of the limited availability of new cars following the war. But the two men persevered and eventually the economy and their business improved.

Nick and Ben worked long, hard hours expanding their business. Their emphasis on customer satisfaction made the business flourish. The two partners always believed "a satisfied customer always returns" and used this philosophy as the foundation for their business.

By the early 1960s they had outgrown their Bound Brook location and decided to relocate to a larger facility. In 1965, Nick and Ben opened for business at their present location on Route 22 in Bridgewater. And the business has continued to grow ever since. In 1965 the business had 15 employees. Today, Bridgewater Kia employs over 30 people.