In 1922, Elmer Zehnder started Elmer S. Zehnder Sales and Service. Over the years, Elmer handled several lines of cars and trucks. Starting with Chevrolet, Studebaker and Dodge in 1923, he added Buick in 1927. Providing service to his customers was important to Elmer Zehnder, taking a toolbox and assorted parts to a customer?s car broke down in the side of the road was common practice for the Zehnder business. Elmer Zehnder died in 1952, his brother Edmond who worked at the dealership kept the business going under Zehnder Sales and Service until 1957. In that year he sold the company to Stan Baker Sr. who was a salesperson at the dealership since 1953. Stan Baker Sr. retained Elmer Zehnders two sons, Waldo as assistant manager and Martin as a salesman.

Martin Zehnder served in the United States Army Signal Corps, stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona from 1961-1963. Upon returning to civilian life, Martin was made Service Manager at Baker Sales and Service from 1963-1980. On November 1, 1980, Martin bought Ray MacGillivary Motor Sales in Vassar, renaming the dealership Zehnder Motor Sales. After completing college in the mid 80?s, Martin?s son Steven joined the dealership.

Reestablishing a dealership in Frankenmuth continued to be a goal of Martin Zehnder's. On March 23, 1990 Martin Zehnder became the owner of the dealership founded by his father 67 years earlier.

Zehnder Chevrolet  has taken on many expansions since 1990, but still believes in servicing its customers.

Martin and his wife Norma (Geyer) live in Frankenmuth, they belong to St. Lorenz Lutheran Church where they are active in many ways. Martin is currently a member of the Frankenmuth Rotary Club and Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce; their son Steven is the Vice-President of the business.