Writer / Melissa Gibson
Schools, businesses and nonprofits in Hendricks County have probably heard the name Kaye York or York Automotive.
Since 1987, the York family has built six dealerships and nine brands, with Kaye coming on board in 2020 at the Plainfield location.
“I was born and raised in Plainfield, went to Purdue University and worked for Xerox Corporation for 25 years, then stayed home with our daughter Kara, who began her senior at Indiana University this fall,” York said. “My husband Nick’s dad opened the Greencastle dealership in 1987. Since then, we’ve opened five others, and when we opened the Plainfield location, my husband said he could use my help.”
York Automotive in Plainfield offers new Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge and Ram models, a large stock of pre-owned models and a service center run by a team of factory-trained service professionals.
They aim to make the car-buying process as stress-free as possible with transparency and unmatched customer service.
York’s role, however, goes beyond buying and selling vehicles.
In short, she aims to help others – customers and employees alike – by giving back to the community and supporting the York team.
“Nick’s dad started with the slogan, ‘We’re Not Number One, YOU Are’, and we try to treat our customers that way. I focus on our internal and external customers. The external buy with us and use our service department,” York said. “Internal customers are the employees and their families. We try to take a caring approach to all of them and do what we can to watch health care costs or just help with a need of one of our employees.”
They also participate in fundraisers and sponsorships throughout Plainfield and beyond.
“We periodically fill the back of a truck on our showroom floor with school supplies or with animal goods for a local rescue,” York said. “We sponsor golf tournaments and galas. It’s important to us to be intentional about this.”
It’s the York name behind the recent concert series at Hendricks Live! and spotted across local sports facilities and school drives.
Perhaps most impactful is the dealership’s Drive to Donate initiative; a monthly focus on a different local nonprofit ranging from The Gathering Together to Strides to Success or Family Promise and many more. A percentage of every lease or purchase at York Automotive in Plainfield puts a donation back in the hands of the selected organization.
York’s daughter creates a calendar each month, sent to 28,000 customers in 30 ZIP codes. It highlights the partnership with the nonprofit along with other activities throughout the month.
“We ask that the monthly nonprofit selected share our partnership with their social media and other contacts,” York said. “The good part is that those people are now aware of these organizations too. They can donate or learn more about them, etc.”
Born and raised in Plainfield, York has always been involved in the community. She’s been a member of Tri-Kappa for many years, currently on the board of directors for the Plainfield Youth Assistance program and was inducted into the Plainfield Hall of Fame in 2024 for her long-time commitment to the community.
“I love our community. In my book, it’s faith, family, friends and community. That’s what I’m about. We try to give back in any way we can. We’re very blessed and we want to make an impact. Like Nick’s dad says, we want to make other people number one,” York said.
For more information, visit yorkautomotive.com.
