Shapland Auto Group

Worden-Martin Inc. has been in business since 1948. Until November 2004, the original owners, Lloyd Worden Jr. and Howard Martin were still involved in the daily operation of the dealership. The two met while they were serving their country during World War II. Upon returning stateside, Mr. Worden contacted Mr. Martin and the two of them began this longstanding partnership.

In the beginning, they sold used vehicles when they could find them but soon realized they needed to become a new car dealer in order to have enough vehicles to sell. In 1948, they took on their first new car franchise with Hudson. They added Packard in 1954, Chrysler in 1955, Rolls-Royse in 1976, Buick in 1980, GMC in 1981 and Pontiac in 1990. The original facility was located in downtown Champaign. In 1969 they built the dealership on Neil Street. In addition to this building, the Worden-Martin Inc. also owns three more facilities which sell Ford-Lincoln-Mercury, Nissan, and Carmart.