Openroad Auto Named One of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for 14th Year In a Row

OpenRoad Auto Senior Executive - credit OpenRoad Auto
L-R: Harj Gill, Senior VP; Jim VanDusen, Senior VP; Sharon Rupal, Senior VP; Michael Croxon, President, OpenRoad Auto Ontario; Christian Chia, CEO; Mark Lin, President & COO; Dimitri Kotsalis, Senior VP; and Tahir Ayub, Executive VP & CFO
This award recognizes OpenRoad Auto’s continued growth, leadership, and excellence in business.

Richmond, B.C., May 14, 2026 — For the 14th year running, OpenRoad Auto (OpenRoad), one of Canada’s largest automotive dealership groups, has been recognized for its industry-leading performance, innovative business practices, and sustained growth with the prestigious 2026 Canada’s Best Managed Companies award. OpenRoad once again retained its Platinum Club status, an exclusive designation for businesses that have achieved Best Managed status for seven years or more.

Celebrating over 30 years, the Canada’s Best Managed Companies program awards excellence in private Canadian-owned companies with revenues of $50 million or greater. To attain the designation, companies are evaluated on their leadership in the areas of strategy, culture and commitment, capabilities, and innovation, governance and financial performance.

2025 was a high-impact year for OpenRoad. To commemorate a quarter century in business, OpenRoad launched the Road to 25: Community Event Series, which reflected the company’s commitment to community engagement by inviting small businesses and local organizations to host special events in their showrooms. This past November, OpenRoad added nine NewRoads dealerships to its existing Ontario operations.

“We are proud to once again be named as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies,” said Christian Chia, CEO of OpenRoad Auto. “In addition to celebrating 25 years in 2025, we have also furthered OpenRoad Auto’s reach in Canada, especially in the Ontario region, with the addition of several NewRoads dealerships. We also launched a new vertical within our company with OpenShine – providing Canadians with new and accessible car wash options.”

As part of its philanthropic arm, OpenRoad Foundation launched its 25 in 25 grant campaign, where $625,000 was awarded to 25 non-profit organizations across Metro Vancouver and Greater Toronto, alongside ongoing associate volunteerism and community initiatives throughout the year.

OpenRoad currently owns and operates 44 locations in B.C. and Ontario, including 37 automotive retailers and seven collision repair centres. The OpenRoad family includes more than 2,500 employees and 23 quality automotive brands including Acura, Honda, Toyota, Lexus, Audi, BMW, Rolls-Royce, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Land Rover, Volkswagen, MINI, Subaru, Mazda, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and RAM. 

Sponsored Message

“For over 30 years, the Best Managed program recognizes companies who see challenges as checkpoints and obstacles as opportunities,” said Derrick Dempster, Partner, Deloitte Private and Canada’s Best Managed Co-Leader. “This year’s winners, including OpenRoad Auto, have combined strategic expertise and a culture of innovation to not only drive impactful business outcomes, but serve their communities as well. They should be extremely proud of this designation and use it as a catalyst to continue the work they do every day.”

Canada’s Best Managed Companies is one of the country’s leading business awards programs recognizing innovative and world‑class businesses. Every year, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies compete for this designation in a rigorous and independent evaluation process.

Applicants are evaluated by an independent panel of judges with representation from program sponsors and special guests.

The 2026 cohort of Best Managed Companies shares common themes, including fostering a people-centric culture, implementing a strategic company framework, investing in innovation and technological advancement, and maintaining financial resilience and strong corporate governance.

For more information about Canada’s Best Managed Companies, please visit bestmanagedcompanies.ca.

For more information about OpenRoad Auto, please visit openroadauto.com.

ABOUT CANADA’S BEST MANAGED COMPANIES PROGRAM

Canada’s Best Managed Companies program continues to be the mark of excellence for privately-owned Canadian companies. Every year since the launch of the program in 1993, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies have competed for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates their management skills and practices. The awards are granted on four levels: 1) Canada’s Best Managed Companies new winner, one of the new winners selected each year; 2) Canada’s Best Managed Companies winner, award recipients that have re-applied and successfully retained their Best Managed designation for two additional years, subject to annual operational and financial review; 3) Gold Standard winner, after three consecutive years of maintaining their Best Managed status, these winners have demonstrated their commitment to the program and successfully retained their award for 4-6 consecutive years; 4) Platinum Club member, winners that have maintained their Best Managed status for seven years or more. Program sponsors are Deloitte Private, CIBC, Norton Rose Fulbright, EDC, The Globe and Mail, and TMX Group. For more information, visit www.bestmanagedcompanies.ca.

ABOUT OPENROAD AUTO

Founded in 2000, OpenRoad Auto is B.C.’s largest automotive dealership group, employing over 2,500 associates and representing 23 leading brands across 44 full-service locations, including 37 dealerships in B.C. and Ontario and seven collision centres. Offering sales and service in multiple languages, OpenRoad delivers an experiential, people-first approach to automotive retail—building trust and creating better journeys for every guest.

Guided by its vision to “drive possibilities” for all communities, OpenRoad is dedicated to redefining the automotive experience. The company offers free memberships through its Club OpenRoad loyalty program and, in 2023, launched the OpenRoad Foundation to advance its philanthropic efforts.

OpenRoad is proud to be recognized among Canada’s Best Managed Companies, a CADA Laureate, and a recipient of multiple Canadian Best Employer Awards.

Openroadauto.com
Instagram: @openroadca | Facebook: OpenRoadCA | YouTube: openroadautogroup

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