If you’ve lived in Southern Virginia for any length of time, specifically around the Southside area, you’ve probably heard the name Steve Padgett. Honestly, for a long time, the name was basically synonymous with getting a new car. If you were looking for a Honda, you went to Steve Padgett’s Danville Honda. It was just what you did. But things change, businesses get sold, and people move on to new ventures, leaving a bit of a "whatever happened to...?" vibe in the air.
Today, the dealership at 4050 Riverside Drive is known as Bisbee Honda of Danville. But the transition didn't happen overnight, and the footprint Steve Padgett left on the local business landscape—and the automotive world in general—is actually pretty massive.
The Evolution of Steve Padgett Danville VA
People often ask if Steve is still "the guy" in town. Well, the short answer is that the Danville location transitioned to new ownership a couple of years back. Specifically, around February 2022, the dealership officially became Bisbee Honda. It was a major shift for a place that had won the prestigious Honda President’s Award nine times under Padgett's leadership. You don’t win that award nine times by accident. It requires a level of customer satisfaction and sales volume that most dealerships only dream of.
But why does the name still pop up so often in local searches?
It’s because of the reputation. When you run a "9-time President's Award winning team," you build a lot of brand equity. People in Danville, Martinsville, and even over the border in North Carolina grew up with those commercials and that specific style of service.
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Where is Steve Padgett now?
If you’re looking for Steve Padgett these days, you’ll mostly find him focused on his other massive success: Steve Padgett’s Honda of Lake Murray in Irmo, South Carolina. He’s essentially taken the same "Before you buy, give Steve a try!" philosophy that worked so well in Danville and moved the primary focus further south.
His South Carolina dealership is currently a juggernaut. It’s been the #1 volume Honda dealer in the Columbia Metro area for years. It’s funny how a specific business philosophy—sorta that old-school "customer is king" mixed with high-tech service tools—can translate so well from one state to another.
What Made the Danville Location Different?
When the dealership was still Steve Padgett’s Danville Honda, it wasn't just a place to buy a Civic or an Accord. It was a major employer. One of the things that set the business apart was the career ladder. Looking back at old job listings and company profiles, they were obsessed with "growing their own."
- Express Advisors became Fixed Ops Directors.
- Product Specialists became Sales Managers.
- Service Techs stayed for decades.
This kind of internal growth is rare in the high-turnover world of car sales. It’s why people still search for Steve Padgett Danville VA—they aren't just looking for a car; they're looking for the people they used to do business with.
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The Transition to Bisbee Honda
When Bisbee took over, they kept a lot of the same infrastructure. They had to. You don't buy a successful machine and then break all the parts. However, for the consumer, the change meant a new name on the sign and some different faces in the front office.
There was some initial confusion among locals during the 2022-2023 period. Some customers reported issues with warranties or service agreements that they thought would carry over perfectly from the Padgett era. It’s a common hurdle during any business acquisition. If you have an old "LifeTime Warranty" from the Padgett days, it's always worth double-checking the fine print with the current Bisbee management to see how those contracts were assigned during the sale.
The Business Philosophy: "Before You Buy, Give Steve a Try"
That slogan was everywhere. It’s a bit cheesy, sure, but it worked. The core of the Steve Padgett Danville VA strategy was simple: aggressive pricing and a "no-hassle" environment.
In a world where car buying feels like going into battle, Padgett tried to make it feel like a transaction between neighbors. He leaned heavily into "Motor Trend Certified" status for used cars and emphasized lifetime warranties. Even now, in 2026, his South Carolina dealership still pushes that "Exclusive Lifetime Powertrain Warranty." It’s a hook that clearly works for him.
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Community Impact and Outreach
You can't talk about Steve Padgett without mentioning the community side of things. In Danville, the dealership was a frequent sponsor of local events, from high school sports to charity drives. That hasn't stopped; it's just shifted.
Interestingly, there’s another Steve Padgett out there making waves—a VP at ASRC Federal who works with NASA. Different guy, but he’s also known for community outreach like "Christmas in April" and the American Heart Association. It's a weird coincidence that two high-profile Steve Padgetts both have strong ties to Virginia and a penchant for giving back.
But back to our automotive Steve: his legacy in Danville is really about the economic engine he helped run. Riverside Drive is the heartbeat of Danville’s retail sector, and the Honda dealership has remained an anchor there through multiple economic cycles.
Actionable Steps for Danville Car Buyers
If you’re searching for Steve Padgett in Danville today, here’s the reality of the situation and what you should actually do:
- Check Your Documentation: If you bought a car under the "Steve Padgett" name and have a "Lifetime Warranty," dig out those papers. When ownership changes to Bisbee, the terms of service can sometimes shift. You need to know if your warranty is backed by a third-party insurance company (which usually stays valid) or the dealership itself.
- Visit Bisbee Honda: Since they are the current occupants of the 4050 Riverside Drive location, they are your point of contact for any Honda-certified service or factory recalls in the Danville area.
- Look South for Steve: If you were a die-hard fan of Steve’s specific way of doing business and don't mind a drive (or are moving toward the Carolinas), his Honda of Lake Murray location is the current flagship of his brand.
- Verify Service Records: If you had your car serviced at the old Padgett location, Bisbee should still have those digital records. It’s helpful for your vehicle's resale value to have that continuous history.
The era of Steve Padgett Danville VA as a local storefront might have ended a few years ago, but the business model he built continues to influence how cars are sold in the region. Whether it’s under the Padgett name in South Carolina or the Bisbee name in Virginia, that focus on volume and "President's Award" level service remains the standard for the Riverside Drive corridor.