Perseverance on Route 5: The Story of Artioli Chrysler Dodge RAM

In the heart of Enfield, Connecticut, our dealership has become part of the town’s fabric — a place where generations have come to buy their first car, their family car, and everything in between. Artioli Chrysler Dodge RAM is celebrating 50 years in business, and our roots run deep. Long before we opened our doors in 1975, our founder, Bob Artioli, Sr., was laying the foundation for everything we are today.

Bob Sr. didn’t come from the car business. He started out in construction, driving trucks. His parents owned a butcher shop on Route 5, and when they retired, Bob took over the property and turned it into a used car lot. That small corner of Enfield became the birthplace of a family legacy.

After working at Enfield Chrysler in the 1960s, Bob Sr. set out on his own. In 1975, he opened Enfield Motors on the same stretch of road we still call home. Over the years, we’ve carried brands like AMC, Eagle, Plymouth, Dodge, and Chrysler — always staying focused on offering vehicles we can stand behind.

We’ve been through our share of challenges. The oil crisis of the ’70s. The financial crash of 2008. Chrysler’s bankruptcy. The COVID-19 pandemic. And, in 2022, a fire that burned our building to the ground. But like our founder, we’ve never backed down from adversity. We’ve always found a way forward.

Bob Sr. was a tough but fair businessman who believed in doing things the right way. One of his favorite sayings was: “A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush.” That mindset — treat customers right, make the deal, and focus on long-term relationships — still guides how we do business every day.

We’re proud to offer high-performance Dodge muscle cars, dependable RAM trucks, and versatile Chrysler vehicles to families across Connecticut and Western Massachusetts. But for us, the heart of this business has always been the people — the relationships we build, the families we serve, and the trust we’ve earned. Many of our team members have been with us for decades. Pauline Goslin, Henry Sienko, and Bob Edwards are just a few of the incredible folks who’ve been part of our journey for over 30 years.

When the fire hit in 2022, every single team member stuck with us. Every single one. We worked out of trailers, borrowed spaces — whatever it took. And our customers stood by us. They waited patiently, supported us, and kept coming back. That kind of loyalty only comes from years of trust.

We’ve always believed in giving back. From hosting the Mopars in Motion event every fall, to supporting the Enfield Soccer Club, Enfield Little League, the local concert series, and veterans groups — we’re here for the community that’s always been here for us. Our military tribute wall inside the dealership is a small way we say “thank you” to those who’ve served.

For us, this business is personal. Bobby Artioli and Joey Artioli — Bob Sr.’s son and grandson — are still here every day, working the floor, helping customers, and carrying forward the legacy. We’re one of the few remaining family-run dealerships in the area, and we take pride in that. No boardrooms. No layers of management. Just us.

We’ve been tested by fire — literally and figuratively — and every time, we’ve come out stronger. We’re built on hard work, integrity, and community. And as we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we’re just getting started.

Because just like the RAM trucks and Dodge vehicles we’re proud to sell, we’re built to last.