LaFontaine Automotive Group

Internship Program

Opportunity For Professional Development

The LaFontaine Internship Program is your opportunity to join the nationally-recognized automotive team, named Best Dealership To Work For by Automotive News in 2018, 2020-2023. Gain invaluable hands-on experience from leaders within the organization when you make one of our locations your home for the summer. This Michigan-based dealer is growing at a rapid pace and is looking for passionate individuals to join the Family! Consisting of over 2,500 employees and family members, LaFontaine is made up of over 30 retail locations, 50+ franchises and 10 full-service collision centers to better serve our communities!

Corporate Internship Program

Twelve-Week Rotational Program

Late May 2024 – Mid August 2024

The LaFontaine Corporate Internship Program is designed for the college student between sophomore and junior year. It offer a comprehensive overview of the day-to-day operation of an automotive dealership. It affords the intern the opportunity to observe and participate, hands-on, in a thriving retail environment. After the internship, the participant will possess a solid, basic understanding of the duties of various jobs in the dealership. Over the twelve-week period, interns will go through an introduction week, learning about the LaFontaine Automotive Group Company and a Final/Review week after completing a ten week rotation of two five week groups consisting of the variable and fixed operations of a dealership, Which includes the following departments:

Service | Parts | Collision | Service BDC | Business Office | Sales | F&I | Marketing | Sales BDC

Corporate Interns will participate in an exit interview to determine interest in proceeding with Executive Internship Program

Executive Internship Program

Twelve-Week Full Time Position in a Specific Department

Late May 2024 – Mid August 2024

The LaFontaine Executive Internship Program is designed for the college student between junior and senior year. It offer a detailed deep dive into the responsibilities and duties of a specific job in an automotive dealership. It affords the Executive Intern the opportunity to learn first-hand. After the internship, the participant will have the skills needed to perform the specific job. The Executive Intern will be assigned to a LaFontaine employee/ mentor/ coach. The mentor and intern will work together as a team throughout the twelve-week program. The intern will shadow the coach in order to learn all of the tools, processes, procedures, policies and best practices involved in the specific job description. The intern will assist in the actual performance of the duties alongside their mentor. Executive internship are available in:

New Car Sales | Service Advisor | Business Development | Marketing

The Executive Intern will be given the opportunity to interview for a full-time permanent position following graduation.

Hear From Our Interns Who Have Joined The Family

"Investing in our FUTURE one student at a time." - Ryan LaFontaine

image of Cy Twinney

Cy Twinney

  • Marketing Representative - LaFontaine Luxury
  • 2021 Graduate
  • Automotive Marketing and Management

“Growing up in Grand Rapids I had some dealership experience, but it wasn’t until I joined the internship team in 2018 that I was truly given a full overview of all dealership operations and responsibilities. After spending two weeks in every department. I liked it so much that I came back to sell cars in the summer of 2019. Though I thoroughly enjoyed it, I found out that my true passion is digital as well as traditional marketing. Because I learned and grew from that experience I was able to come back for a 3rd time around and do a specialized marketing internship in 2020. This was the catalyst to my current full-time position on the corporate deployment team of digital retail coordinator that I received directly after graduating from Northwood University. During my time with the group, I have gained several mentors who I now consider family. The opportunities to grow your personal and professional career are endless!”


image of Richard Ascherl

Richard Ascherl

  • Sales Manager
  • 2021 Graduate
  • MBA - Finance

My introduction to the LaFontaine Automotive Group was through a previous intern who began working with the group in 2018. When accepted into their internship program I was fully immersed in each department. 3 years later, I am still with the family, working as the Sales Manager for Lafontaine Lincoln at our Flushing dealership. I am grateful for the family and my many mentors who continue to invest and help me develop my abilities. Excited for the future.


image of Thomas Montgomery

Thomas Montgomery

  • Service Manager
  • 2019 Graduate
  • Automotive Aftermarket Management

“The LaFontaine Internship Program was the catalyst to starting an exciting career in a field I am very passionate about. After I graduated, I joined LaFontaine Automotive Group as a service advisor at their LaFontaine Cadillac Buick GMC dealership in Highland. Beyond what I do on a day-to-day basis, what is most exciting for me at LaFontaine Automotive Group are the opportunities to truly grow and develop a career. The management team is very encouraging and is always there to provide guidance. They provide a roadmap for my career and I am looking forward to what the future holds for me at LaFontaine.”


image of Parker Luchenbill

Parker Luchenbill

  • Finance Manager
  • 2021 Graduate
  • Finance


“The internship program was unlike any other internship experience I have been apart of. Not only do you get to experience each department to better understand the fundamentals, but you get to see how each area allows the company to prosper. The level of trust and knowledge the owners and management bestow upon all interns truly shows how much they care – about our future as individuals, the future of the industry, and the well-being of the employees they like to call “Family.” The culture here at the dealership and within the company as whole takes away from it feeling like a job. It’s a lifelong career opportunity that I am grateful to have. My advice to incoming interns would be this: if business or automotive industry is something you have considered for your future career path, look no further than LaFontaine. The passion, knowledge, and relationships here are things you cannot find elsewhere. I am truly grateful for it all!”


image of Cole Wixom

Cole Wixom

  • Sales Professional
  • 2023 Graduate
  • Marketing

“I chose to join the LaFontaine Internship program because I had heard many great things about the internship and organization from classmates and peers. Prior to beginning here, I had little to no knowledge or background of the automotive industry. I learned the in’s and out’s of every department within the dealership, and the kind of company LaFontaine is — via Customer testimonial and personal experience. This made me confident that LaFontaine was/is a forward thinking company with many opportunities for growth! After the internship program, and finishing up my schooling at Northwood University, I was offered a sales role at Lafontaine Ford of Birch Run and I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of this great Family!


image of Kinsey Jones

Kinsey Jones

  • Marketing Specialist
  • 2023 Graduate
  • Management

“I joined the LaFontaine Internship Program during my last year of college. I wanted to gain a better understanding of marketing in a professional setting. I expected to observe the day-to-day operations of an automotive company. I expected to witness marketing efforts first-hand. What I did not expect was to be able to actually contribute to the company through projects and hands-on work. I didn’t expect to be trusted with responsibility throughout the entire program. I did not expect to be treated like a real member of the family. I had heard from past interns about how incredible this internship program is, but I didn’t really understand until I went through the program myself. You are more than just an intern. You are a valued member of the company. I have connected with many employees from all different departments in at LaFontaine and have been given the opportunity to learn from them. The marketing team welcomed me and gave me the ability to expand my knowledge. I didn’t expect to be offered a permanent position with LaFontaine, but I am ever grateful for it. This team, this company, this family is where I belong. Thank you, LaFontaine Automotive Group!”


image of Michael Litton

Michael Litton

  • Digital Marketing Specialist
  • 2023 Graduate
  • Marketing

“My experience with LaFontaine began in 2022, when I was able to join the corporate rotational internship program. I had very little experience in the automotive industry, but I ended up enjoying the program so much that I was able to return the following year and pursue my passion in marketing and videography in a more specialized digital marketing and production role. This launched my career as a digital marketing specialist, which allows me to develop my skills in content creation, analytics, and all things marketing. There’s so many different opportunities to seek out at LaFontaine, and I am grateful that I am able to hone in my strengths and passions and continue on a career path that I was best suited to succeed in. Throughout my time with Lafontaine I’ve had the chance to learn and grow from a substantial number of coworkers and supervisors whom I now consider my mentors and family. I’m truly grateful for what the future holds here at LaFontaine!”


image of Richard Weinberg

Richard Weinberg

  • Cadillac Brand Specialist
  • 2023 Graduate
  • Innovative Marketing and Business Management

“My experience with the LaFontaine family began with a May 2022 internship. I was provided a true hands on experience and gained a lot of knowledge of the automotive industry through this program which sparked my interest to be an official part of the LaFontaine family. I was able to specialize in the Cadillac brand and become the Cadillac Brand Specialist for our highland location. My degree is Innovative Marketing and Business Management. I graduated in May 2023 and I am the Cadillac Brand Specialist for our Highland location.”


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