This year marks a remarkable milestone for H+H – 95 years of serving our community, customers, and team with integrity, care, and a deep sense of tradition. As we celebrate nearly a century in business, we’re proud to reflect on our roots, our journey, and what truly makes H+H special.
Leading H+H today is Jeff Hinchcliff, President of the H+H Group, alongside Steve Hinchcliff, who serves as Chairman. To understand the business’s generational roots, you need to go back to the very beginning, 1930, in the heart of the Great Depression.
The Humble Beginnings
The H+H story starts even before 1930, with Steve’s grandfather and Jeff’s great-grandfather, Augie Hinchcliff, a mechanic with a vision. As the automobile industry began to spark interest, Augie saw an opportunity and took a leap of faith into the business of selling cars. He purchased a Chevrolet dealership in South Omaha, and to get things rolling, he partnered with Joe Haney, the former mayor of the city.
Together, Augie and Joe launched a business founded on friendship and trust. Their tagline, “Buddies in Business”, captured the small-town spirit they valued, even while operating in a growing urban area. From 1930 to 1941, the business was known for its personal touch and neighborly service.
And while many people today assume that H+H stands for “Hinchcliff and Hinchcliff,” it didn’t start that way. The original “H+H” was Hinchcliff and Haney.
Passing the Torch
After a solid 11 years of partnership, Augie purchased Joe’s interest in H&H. In 1946, after serving as an Officer in the US Army, Bob Hinchcliff partnered with his dad Augie in the family business. Then, in 1953, after the Korean War, Augie’s other son, Bill Hinchcliff, started his partnership at H&H. The three worked together until 1966, when Augie retired. Bob and Bill ran the store as equal partners, and it was during their leadership that the dealership made the big move from 24th Street in South Omaha to 84th and L Street in 1968.
Like many family businesses, the next generation was brought in from a young age. Steve Hinchcliff started working at the dealership at 14, cutting grass and picking up cigarette butts. By 1977, he joined full-time, and over the years, he’s done just about every job you can imagine at a dealership. Steve was Bill’s Son.
Jeff followed a similar path, also starting at 14. “I started in our parts warehouse, stocking and moving parts to technicians,” Jeff shares. “Through high school and college, I did a lot of different jobs. But really, I’m just doing what our family has always done—and what I’ve always wanted to do.” Jeff is Steve’s Son.
Growth Brings Opportunities
In early 2023, H+H Chevrolet moved from its long-time home at 84th & L Street to a brand-new facility at Steel Ridge, near Interstate 80 and Highway 370. The move had been in the works for a while, as Steve and Jeff saw an opportunity to better serve their current and future clients.
Then in 2024, H+H Kia joined the Chevy dealership at Steel Ridge. Today, both dealerships feature state-of-the-art showrooms and service centers, designed for customer convenience and best-in-class service. The H+H brand hasn’t just grown in size, it’s grown in reach. The company has expanded into new brands like Kia, ONYX Automotive, which offers Jaguar, Land Rover, BMW, and MINI. And in late 2022, H+H Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge-RAM also joined the family at Steel Ridge, continuing a legacy of growth while keeping customer service at the forefront.
A Legacy of Values
From a young age, Steve knew he wanted to be in the car business, since he was in pre-school. “I can’t imagine doing anything else,” he says. “What we see today is almost unique, as generational businesses are few and far between.”
And it’s true. Not many family businesses make it to the third, let alone fourth generation. But for H+H, the key has always been its strong values.
“There’s a certain synergy that comes with owning more than one brand,” Steve explains. “It offers value to our customers and employees. But there’s also a balance. Too many brands, and you start acting like a big corporation. We’ve found that sweet spot where we can provide choices without losing our identity.”
Our Model: Long-Term Relationships
In today’s world, trust can be hard to come by. People are used to hearing one thing and seeing another. That’s why H+H does things a little differently.
“Our model is long-term,” Steve says. “Maybe it’s because we’ve been around since 1930, but we believe that great treatment during the sales process earns us the chance to see that customer again in our service department. And hopefully, when the time is right, we get the chance to offer them another sales experience—one that’s just as good or better than before.” It’s not about a single transaction. It’s about building relationships that last—and treating people right every step of the way.
