Tilford was established in 1966 as the Southern Tasmanian Ford Dealership. Forty years on, Tilford is still selling Fords. Today it is established as one of the states leading car dealers by any measure, from customer service to annual sales, and employs around 100 people.

The company has been recognised as a very successful operation, winning the Time magazine dealer of the year, and winning the Ford President's Award three times in the 1990's and Ford Distinguished Achiever award in 2004.

In 2007 Tilford won Fords Regional Club Award for outstanding sales success.