About Marine Chevrolet

Building a Legacy

The roots of Marine Chevrolet are no joke – even if they were first planted on April Fool’s Day in 1937! Hugh Appleton Ragsdale, opened Onslow County’s first automobile dealership, Richlands Motor Sales, with a borrowed $2,000. He then teamed up with his partner, A. V. Williams, in 1946 started the present Marine Chevrolet to “…help supply the ever-growing demand for transportation,” according to a 1970s Daily News article. Since its beginning, the dealership has been founded on service to community, customers and employees.

Hugh Ragsdale picked a location out in the country on an unpaved road, so if the dealership did not make it they could convert it into a tobacco warehouse, but the location was never turned into a warehouse. Instead, the business has “grown-up” with the community around it. In 1937 when Hugh moved to Onslow County the population was 17,000. As the community has grown (Onslow County is now home to approximately 155,000), so has the business. From its original staff, Marine Chevrolet now has over 100 employees – several with over 30 years tenure. As Marine Chevrolet has matured it has met a lasting success as a business that cares about its customers and employees and boasts a strong reputation as “Eastern Carolina’s Truck Capital.”

When you look back to the beginning, it’s hard to imagine that we would be celebrating over 75 years of service to the area today. When Marine Chevrolet opened its doors, there were no cars to sell and no parts in the bin due to both shortages and war rationing. The company got its start leasing trucks for the construction of Camp Davis, an artillery-training base in Holly Ridge. 

In 1945, the original construction and permits for the site cost $46,500 and was declared by the local paper as the “most modern” facility in the area. In 1969, Williams, Hugh Ragsdale’s partner, retired and Hugh’s son, Carl, purchased Williams’ shares in the business. In 1975, Carl Ragsdale purchased the remaining shares of Marine Chevrolet. In 1993 Mike Alford joined the company as General Manager, the third-generation family member to work at Marine Chevrolet. 

In 1997, Mike Alford purchased Marine Chevrolet and became President of the corporation. In April 1998 Marine Chevrolet moved its dealership to the most ultra-modern automotive facility in Eastern Carolina located at 1408 Western Boulevard.

General Motors Mark of Excellence Award

Jacksonville-Onslow Sports Commission / Sempi / Fi & America's Fund

Partners With Our Community

Here at Marine Chevrolet we take pride in our community and ensure that we are involved with them. We work with a large number of charitable organizations! We are involved in the following ways and more:

United Way of Onslow County: Marine Chevrolet has been participating in the United Way’s Workplace Giving Campaign by donating a vehicle for over 10 years! We have also participated in the United Way’s Community Care Giveaway by donating an Apple Watch or Samsung Gear. We end the campaign with a celebration with local businesses, teachers and the individuals who participated in the campaign. We often do events together such as our Trunk or Treat that showcases other nonprofit organizations in Jacksonville.

Marine Corps Community Service: Through the Marine Corps Community Service we have participated in dozens of community events for our Military families. From the Back to School bash to the MCCS Bunny Hop, we always look to support our local military personnel.

Jacksonville- Onslow Sports Commission and YMCA: Through the Jacksonville-Onslow Sports Commission we participated in several sports events, whether that be the Freedom Fight Boxing Tournament to the Marine Chevy Beat the Bridge: 5k & 10K. This nonprofit organization is committed to fostering economic development and quality life through sports! Our local YMCA has helped us coordinate the Marine Chevy Shuffle - a race that we have been coordinating for over 10 years to benefit our local Girls on the Run and Stride programs.

Zing Zumm Children’s Museum: A community supported nonprofit organization that provides children a interactive, hands-on and unstructured environment allowing children to discover their interests. We are proud supporters of this organization and the dozens of others that we work closely with.