About Us

However, the dealership continued to grow at this location for the next 41 years. Andrew Jessup, Jr. joined the company as did his brother Tim. But by 1996, Plaza Motors’ growth began to strain the small Palm Springs/Indian Canyon facility. The dealership had added Pontiac/Buick to their lineup, and General Motors mandated separate facilities for each Buick/Pontiac/GMC and Oldsmobile/Cadillac operation.

A move was in order, and Plaza Motors set their eye on a 13-acre property along Highway 111 in CATHEDRAL CITY, at the heart of the Coachella Valley. With its central location, association with a strong auto center, and space for two showrooms and more service facilities, the location was ideal for both the dealership and its growing, valley-wide customer base. The youngest brother, Dan, then joined after a couple of years working for a San Diego dealer.

Now General Manager, Dan remembers the day the big move finally came: July 4, 2001. “The sacrifices each employee made were significant,” he recalls. “While their family and friends were heading to cooler grounds, we lugged desks, shop equipment and automotive parts across hot asphalt.” On opening day, the brand new 80,000 square feet state-of-the-art campus was christened under a new name: Jessup Auto Plaza. This new brand incorporated the family name while maintaining a piece of the La Plaza/Plaza Motors history.

In its new home, the business continued to thrive. In 2003, Jessup Auto Plaza was named Business of the Year by the CATHEDRAL CITY Chamber of Commerce at its prestigious ORION Awards.

In 2008, they celebrated an especially exciting landmark: the long awaited acquisition of Chevrolet. “We were so excited about the opportunity to finally sell and service Chevrolet products,” said Andy Jessup, Jr. “It fulfilled a family dream that began with our grandfather, when he founded the company in 1938.”

Now run by its third generation of Jessups, Jessup Auto Plaza continues to follow the legacy of Charles “Woody” Dutton by staying involved in the community and local politics. Andy Jessup, Jr. has served on the board of directors for the CATHEDRAL CITY Chamber of Commerce and has held the position as President of the 111 Auto Center in CATHEDRAL CITY. The Jessups’ collective resume also includes contributions of service to many important organizations including United Way, Boys & Girls Club, Palm Springs Air Museum, Kiwanis Club, American Cancer Society and many more.

“It’s been a great journey. The business was started in hard times,” says Dan Jessup, “and we will just keep doing what we do well, grassroots customer service and taking care of our employees, many of whom have been with us for 25 years or more. We look forward to serving the Coachella Valley’s Automotive needs for another 85 years.” Jessup Auto Plaza serves the Coachella Valley and surrounding areas including: Palm Springs, CATHEDRAL CITY, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, Coachella, Thermal, Hemet, Morongo Valley, Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms (29 Palms), Yucca Valley, Banning, Beaumont, Calimesa, San Bernardino, Riverside, Temecula, Blythe, El Centro, Calexico and the Imperial Valley.