About Volvo of Burlingame

Volvo of Burlingame is proudly serving the residents and visitors of the greater San Francisco (SF) Bay Area with their new, used, or pre-owned buy / lease of S60, S80, XC60, XC40, or XC90. We will do what it takes to keep you 100% satisfied.

Buying a new car isn't something you can really do off the cuff. It's a long-term commitment. You're going to be spending almost every day driving it, for many years to come. So, it's important that you don't get just any car, but one with which you really click.

Volvo of Burlingame will take the time to get to know what you want, and work with you to ensure that's exactly what you have when you leave. That holds just as true for used-car customers as it does for new Volvo customers. If you want to be pressured into a purchase, you had best go elsewhere.

In addition to helping drivers find the perfect Volvo match, Volvo of Burlingame also boasts a state-of-the-art auto repair shop where our highly skilled team of technicians perform routine maintenance as well as other services, such as auto-glass repairs, transmission repairs, and wheel repairs. And, for drivers who prefer to work on their Volvo themselves, we have a variety of manufacturer-certified parts (i.e., oil filters, batteries, windshield wipers...).

To learn more about Volvo of Burlingame, our impressive lineup of new S60, S80, V90, XC60, XC40, or XC90, and used-car models, or rave-worthy service, contact us today. Or visit us in person. We're conveniently located at 900 Peninsula Ave Burlingame, California.

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Our History

The Putnam family name has long been a staple of the auto industry in the U.S. and its rectitude and integrity are as strong today as they were back when Joe Putnam, himself, first entered the industry in 1953.

After Joe was born on a small farm in South Dakota in 1934, he found himself growing up in one of the more troubling economic periods, the Great Depression. Every member of the family was expected to contribute at a very young age and every child learned a strong work ethic and positive attitude towards self-improvement. His parents were very intent on each of their children growing up to be upstanding members of society.

It was in 1953 where Joe, after marrying his high school sweetheart, Mary Lou, moved off to Minneapolis, Minnesota and began his venture into the auto industry. For five years, Joe worked in automobile retailing, gradually becoming one of the top salesmen for Ford Motors. His hard work was handsomely rewarded in 1958 when he became a partner in his own Buick, Cadillac, and GMC dealership in Devils Lake, North Dakota.

Only seven years later, success had enabled Joe put the family on the move again, this time headed for California. After purchasing a location in Burlingame from Charlie Howard, most famous for his ownership of the racehorse, Seabiscuit, Joe opened the doors to Putnam Buick and began to secure his place in the Northern California auto industry.

But the dream didn't stop with just one dealership. By realizing the changing times and understanding the growth of the imported car business, Joe expanded in 1987 to include a Mazda dealership. Soon after, with his son Marty, Joe expanded further by becoming a Charter Dealer for Lexus in the United States. Dealerships for Toyota and Volvo soon followed along with the rest of the General Motors offerings in the late 90's.

As of 2012, Putnam dealergroup includes Putnam Lexus, Putnam GMC, Putnam GEM, Putnam Toyota , Putnam Scion, Putnam Subaru, Putnam Chrysler, Putnam Jeep, Putnam Dodge, Putnam Mazda, Putnam Subaru, Putnam Chevrolet, Putnam Buick, Putnam Cadillac, Fiat of Burlingame, Nissan of Burlingame, and Volvo of Burlingame.

Kent Putnam, another of Joe's sons, is also following in his father's footsteps and today runs Volvo of Burlingame.