What Was Carl Moyer’s Net Worth At The Time Of His Death?
Explore Carl Moyer Net Worth, his business success with Karl Chevrolet, and how his family continues his automotive legacy after his 2024 passing.
Aug 06, 202513.3K Shares227K Views
Carl Moyer grew from a car lover into the founder of one of the most successful dealerships in Iowa. In 1978, he opened Karl Chevrolet in Ankeny as a one-car showroom, and over time it became Karl Auto Group with 10 locations and more than 800 employees. He was famous for caring deeply about his customers and even came up with the slogan "Your dealer for life". Carl also gave a lot back to his community, from big donations to local events and projects that helped Ankeny grow.
Early Life
Carl DeLoss Moyer Jr. was born on June 19, 1941, in Des Moines, Iowa. He was the son of Carl DeLoss Moyer Sr. and Martha Jean Moyer. Moyer grew up in Des Moines and had siblings, a sister, Florence Kathleen, and two brothers, Donald and Bill. From a young age he developed a strong passion for automobiles. As a child he and his brothers would often gather in their shared bedroom to listen to auto racing broadcasts from the Iowa State Fairgrounds every Friday night, reflecting an early interest in cars and racing.
| Full Name | Carl D. Moyer |
| Founded | Karl Chevrolet (1978) |
| Industry | Automotive Sales and Dealerships |
| Business Locations | Multiple locations across Iowa, United States |
| Employees | Approximately 800 |
| Net Worth (as of 2025) | Estimated between $3 million and $7 million |
| Date of Death | 2024 |
| Company Status | Privately held by the Moyer family |
Early Career
Carl Moyer launched his auto industry career working at several Iowa dealerships. He held sales and managerial roles in Cedar Falls, Winterset, and West Des Moines before striking out on his own. This practical experience paved the way for him to establish Karl Chevrolet in 1978. That year Moyer bought out his brother and opened Karl Chevrolet in Ankeny, Iowa, initially just a one-car showroom.
Career Growth & Key Roles
As founder and owner of Karl Chevrolet, Moyer led the dealership’s steady growth. In the early 1980s he relocated Karl Chevrolet to a larger facility in Ankeny (opened in 1983) to accommodate rising demand. He also coined the slogan “your dealer for life” and focused heavily on customer loyalty. Under Moyer’s leadership the business expanded into a multi-dealership auto group.
By the 2010s the Karl Auto Group had grown to encompass ten companies across Iowa, with over 800 employees statewide. Moyer branched the business beyond Chevrolet sales, launching Karl Performance (Karl Kustoms) as a high-performance parts and customization division. In late 2021 he further expanded his group by acquiring the Story City-based Gookin Ford dealership (renaming it Karl Ford). Throughout these years, Moyer served as owner and CEO of the Karl Auto Group, guiding its strategic direction and brand.
Major Achievements
- Industry Awards:In 2003 Moyer received General Motors’ Jack Smith Presidential Award (Chevrolet’s top dealer honor). He was later nominated as Iowa’s nominee for the national TIME Dealer of the Year award in 2017.
- Sales Performance:Karl Chevrolet under Moyer’s leadership consistently ranked among the nation’s top 3% of Chevrolet dealerships. The dealership also earned the title of GM’s top certified used-vehicle dealer 13 times.
- Motorsports Leadership:Moyer was a noted motorsports promoter. He founded the Dirt Truck Racing Association and sponsored the Karl Chevrolet Dirt Truck Series in Iowa. He also positioned Karl Kustoms as the “Preferred Engine Supplier” for IMCA dirt track racing.
- Community and Philanthropy:Moyer made substantial industry and community contributions. In 2018 he and his wife donated $1 million to Des Moines Area Community College for its automotive training center (now named the Karl Automotive Technology Center). He explained that DMACC had “set the standard” for technician training and that he and his wife “truly believe in the College” and wanted to ensure a strong future for its programs.
Recent Developments
By 2024 the Karl Auto Group remained a leading multi-franchise retailer in Iowa, operating Chevrolet, GMC, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ford, and other franchises across ten locations. Carl Moyer continued to serve as owner through that time. He died on September 28, 2024 at age 83, concluding a 46-year tenure in the auto business. His dealerships continue under the foundations and practices he established, carrying on the “dealer for life” philosophy and community focus of the Karl Auto Group.
Carl Moyer Net Worth
At the time of his death, reports from online outlets estimated Carl D. Moyer’s net worth to be between $3 million and $7 million, though major financial publications have not verified this figure. Moyer built his fortune by founding Karl Chevrolet in 1978 and expanding it into the multi-location Karl Auto Group, which includes about 10 companies and employs around 800 people across Iowa. He also owned Karl Performance/Kustoms, a custom auto shop. Moyer passed away in 2024, and the Karl Auto Group remains privately held by his family, while his personal wealth outside these businesses has never been publicly disclosed.
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