Knauz Continental Autos Celebrating 90 Years!

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About Knauz Continental Autos: Celebrating Over 90 Years of Automotive Excellence

For over nine decades, Knauz Continental Autos has been synonymous with automotive excellence, proudly serving Lake Bluff, IL and Libertyville, IL customers since its establishment in 1934 by Karl Knauz. Through the years, our dealership has remained steadfast in its commitment to providing exceptional service, upholding the highest standards of integrity, and treating every customer with the utmost respect and care.

As a family-owned business, we have weathered the ebbs and flows of the industry, adapting to changing times while staying true to our core values. Our longevity is a testament to our unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction and our relentless pursuit of excellence in everything we do. At Knauz Continental Autos, we are not just selling cars; we are building lasting relationships with our customers, earning their trust and loyalty with every interaction. As we celebrate this significant milestone, we reflect on our rich history with gratitude and look forward to continuing our legacy of automotive excellence for many years to come.

A Legacy of Excellence: the History of Knauz Continental Autos

Founded in 1934 with a Desoto dealership, the Knauz family's automotive legacy has evolved significantly over the years. From the humble beginnings of selling Desoto vehicles, the dealership expanded its offerings to include prestigious brands such as Chrysler, Land Rover, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.

Today, Knauz Continental Autos stands as a testament to this rich history, proudly holding the title of the largest dealer-owned body shop in the country. With an impressive array of 40 bays, we are fully equipped to handle a diverse range of automotive services, ensuring that our valued customers in Lake Forest, IL receive top-notch care and attention for all their vehicle needs. Our commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction remains unwavering, solidifying our position as a trusted name in the automotive industry for over nine decades.

Committed to Service and Community

As we commemorate our 90th anniversary, our commitment to the core values established by our founder, Karl Knauz, remains unwavering. Integrity, quality, and community engagement continue to guide every aspect of our business operations. Over the years, our relentless pursuit of excellence in customer service and the provision of premium vehicles has garnered widespread recognition, reflected in the numerous awards and accolades we have received. Our enduring reputation as an industry leader is a testament to our steadfast dedication to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in all that we do.

Exceptional Services for Every Need

At Knauz Continental Autos, exceeding customer expectations is at the heart of everything we do. Our dedicated team of skilled technicians is committed to providing exceptional service across a range of automotive needs. Whether your vehicle requires accident repair, paint services, windshield replacement, or any other maintenance, you can trust that we will go the extra mile to ensure its optimal condition and your complete satisfaction. With our unwavering dedication to quality and attention to detail, you can rest assured that your vehicle is in capable hands at Knauz Continental Autos.

Grateful for Our Customers, Excited for the Future

As we embark on the next chapter of our journey, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the countless customers who have placed their trust in us throughout our 90-year history. It is a privilege to have earned their loyalty and support, and we are deeply committed to continuing to meet and exceed their expectations in the years ahead. With unwavering dedication to our founding principles and a steadfast focus on customer satisfaction, we eagerly anticipate the opportunity to serve our community for generations to come.

Visit Knauz Continental Autos and see why we're the go-to dealer in the Kenosha, WI and Gurnee, IL for the past nine decades.

At Knauz Continental Autos, we have been turning our customers into friends since 1934. Our story began 80 years ago, when Karl Knauz created the dealership that would bear his name for generations to come. After opening a gas station in Lake Forest and working as a chauffeur, he never imagined that his modest beginning in the automotive business would evolve into one of the most recognized dealerships in the country. The success of Knauz Continental Autos is built on our strong relationships with the people we serve. Today, we continue to treat each customer with care using "The Golden Rule."

You will feel our deep respect for customers as soon as you walk through our doors. This tradition of service is part of our roots, when Bill Knauz would get to know each of his customers by name. While our expanding size makes this a little harder to do today, we still provide a personal touch that makes each visitor to our dealership feel like a new family friend. In fact, some of our loyal customers are the grandchildren of those who have bought cars from Knauz dealerships in the past.

The Knauz family also believes in the importance of being a beacon in the community; that's why we've spent so much time, money, and effort supporting causes we believe in. We want to be an integral part of our neighborhood and not just another car dealership. This is our way of giving back to the community that has supported us over the years.



We hope you will stop by soon to see why the Knauz family is a trusted leader in the automotive industry. Our dedicated employees pride themselves on being honest, direct, and hassle-free. This is why our customer satisfaction is always among the top-ranked nationwide, and our reputation as a good corporate citizen within the community still stands. Now, as we begin our 83rd year, we are humbled by our history and eternally grateful for the thousands of customers that have chosen us. We are proud to continue addressing each of your needs with the utmost respect, care and attention to detail. Knauz Continental Autos is here to serve you.


Policy on Hand Control Driving Devises

To accommodate our customers, we will install portable hand controls units that the customer provides to us in order to test drive a vehicle so long as the devise can be installed and removed without physical modification or alteration to the vehicle.  If the customer does not have a portable vehicle hand control unit, we will provide one. Please note our device is available for vehicles with automatic transmissions only.  For the safety of our customers and employees, these hand control units are installed at our service department.  Appointments for a vehicle test drive using a hand control devise are strongly recommended for daytime hours to ensure that a licensed technician is available to install the hand control system and safety test before the customer test drive. Our devices are currently on order and due to arrive by 4/30/22

If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact the General Manager.


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  1. Knauz Continental Autos

    409 Skokie Valley Hwy.
    Lake Bluff, IL 60044

    • Sales: (847) 234-1700
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Get in Touch

  • Contact our Sales Department at: (847) 234-1700
  • Monday10:00AM- 7:00PM
  • Tuesday10:00AM- 7:00PM
  • Wednesday10:00AM- 7:00PM
  • Thursday10:00AM- 7:00PM
  • Friday10:00AM- 6:00PM
  • Saturday9:00AM- 5:00PM
  • SundayClosed