Earnhardt Ford History

During his long life, Tex Earnhardt was known for many things. From founding Earnhardt Ford to becoming CEO of Earnhardt Auto Centers, he was known for good deals and straight talk. 

To countless Phoenix TV viewers over many decades, he became widely known as the cowboy car dealer who rode a bull in his commercials. His trademark slogan "that ain't no bull" was the ultimate truth in advertising. The "bull" he rode in the commercials was really a steer. 

Riding a steer, horse, or even a bull came naturally.  After all, Tex was a rancher and rodeo performer as well as a successful businessman.  

Born December 9th, 1930, Tex was a child when his family moved to Texas for a more agricultural life. He was raised on a ranch in the Rio Grande Valley. That's certainly where his affinity for ranching, agriculture and cowboy culture began. 

How Earnhardt Ford Started

In 1951, when Tex was twenty years old, the family moved to Chandler, AZ. His father, Hal Earnhardt, Sr. saw an opportunity to serve the growing number of automobile owners. He started a small gas station downtown. Tex assisted his father, selling gas and auto parts. 

It wasn't long before Tex announced the he wanted to expand the business by selling new automobiles. Thwarting his plans, the Detroit factories refused to ship vehicles to him unless he paid expensive transportation costs first. That might have stopped a different guy, but Tex went to work and immediately found a solution. 

He and a friend decided to drive to Detroit, buy a car from the factory, drive both vehicles back to Chandler, and sell the new car. As soon as he sold his first car, he drove right back to Detroit and purchased the second. He repeated the whole process for months. That's a 2,000-mile trip one way, which takes 30 hours on today's roads. Imagine what it was like back then when there were few highways or interstates.

Eventually his hard work translated into success when factory officials saw how dedicated and strong his work ethic was. Ford Motor Company awarded Tex his own franchise in September of 1951. To this date, Tex holds the record for the youngest franchisee in the history of Ford. He was just 21 when Earnhardt Ford became a reality.

As the dealership grew, Tex became Ford's most respected owner. Lee Iacocca, then a corporate manager, developed a strong relationship with Tex. When Lee accepted the position of CEO for the ailing Chrysler Corporation in the late 1970s, he personally flew to Phoenix and asked Tex (and his sons) to become franchise owners. Tex - with his keen intuition and respect for Iacocca - accepted the Chrysler franchise and was soon open for business as a multi-brand car dealer. 

On the heels of those successes, Tex acquired more automobile franchises. His sons, Hal and Jim Babe, eventually joined him in the business as did later, his grandsons, Dodge, Derby, and Bull. Together the Earnhardt family is at the helm of one of the nation's largest privately held automotive empires and is the most recognized auto dealer group in the southwest. Whereas family-owned and operated automotive companies are a rarity in this market, the Earnhardt family is at their dealerships regularly and personally oversee its operations. 

Over the years, Earnhardt Auto Centers expanded their operations to include 15 Brands and 17 dealerships. There are about 2,000 full-time and part-time employees working at Earnhardt Auto Centers.

These dealerships include: Earnhardt Buick GMC, Earnhardt Cadillac, Earnhardt Chandler Cadillac, Earnhardt Chevrolet, Earnhardt Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM, Earnhardt Queen Creek Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Earnhardt Ford, Rodeo Ford, Earnhardt Honda, Earnhardt Hyundai, Earnhardt Hyundai North Scottsdale, Earnhardt Genesis of Scottsdale, San Tan Hyundai, Earnhardt Genesis of Gilbert, Earnhardt Peoria Kia, Earnhardt Lexus and Earnhardt Toyota. Additionally, the company operates Earnhardt Auto Body in Gilbert.

The Earnhardt family's dedication to the well-being of their employees is legendary. In hundreds of cases they have personally lent moral and financial support to employees who were facing an illness or family tragedy. The Earnhardt's know their success comes from dedicated employees as well as the communities that support Earnhardt; so Earnhardt supports them as well!

Various charities and needy causes have also benefited from the Earnhardt's philanthropy. Upon Tex's passing in 2020, the Earnhardt Family donated to St. Mary's Food Bank, Child Crises Center and United Food Bank to honor his name. Since then, St Mary’s Foodbank created the Annual Tex Earnhardt Charity Food Drive in honor of Tex and his legacy of giving.

Inspired by Tex and the Earnhardt family’s charitable efforts, many employees participate in a company charity program called “No Bull Charities-Employee Contributions”, whereby individual donations are voluntarily deducted from their monthly paychecks and donated to employee selected charities on a quarterly basis.

Since 1951, the Earnhardt family has been selling cars and trucks to people across the southwest United States and will continue to do so for many years to come. Although times have changed, what has never changed is the Earnhardt commitment to world class service, famous low prices and the best selection of America's most popular vehicles. Earnhardt -- it's “a name you can trust” …and that ain't no bull!

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