Three Earnhardt sites recognized as Dealers of the Year for Arizona

Earnhardt Auto Centers is proud to announce that Cars.com recognized three of its dealerships as 2024 Arizona Dealers of the Year. Earnhardt Lexus, Earnhardt Ford and Earnhardt Toyota each received this recognition. 

Car-shopping marketplace Cars.com hosts more than 13 million dealership reviews from sites around the United States and Canada. Dealer of The Year (DOTY) recipients were selected from more than 50,000 auto dealerships with profiles based on more than 1 million online customer reviews submitted throughout 2023. Winners were selected based on average star rating, total number of reviews and dealer response to those reviews. These are all key drivers of repeat and referral business, said Cars.com in a news release. 

“Local dealerships are central to vehicle buying, and our DOTY Awards highlight the many local retailers who take pride in their reputation, striving each and every day to provide a five-star experience for their customers,” said Jamie Oldershaw, vice president of reputation at Cars.com, in the news release. “A consumer submits a dealership review every 27 seconds on Cars.com, providing dealers with valuable real-time feedback and shoppers with firsthand information about a dealership’s customer experience.”

This recognition is a testament to Earnhardt’s hard-working teams and loyal customers. 

Earnhardt Auto Centers represents 15 brands at 17 dealerships located throughout the Valley. Founder Tex Earnhardt first started the company in 1951 with a Chandler-based Ford franchise. At age 21, he was the youngest-ever Ford franchise owner. His first Earnhardt dealership truly grew one vehicle at a time — Tex needed to sell one car before he could afford to purchase the next one to sell.

Over the years, the company expanded, opening more dealerships with Tex at the head. Tex’s straight-shooting style and catchphrase, “That ain’t no bull,” endeared him to generations of Arizonans. 

Tex’s sons, Hal and Jim Babe, joined him in the business, and so did several of his grandchildren, making it a true family business. Tex passed away in 2020 at the age of 89, and his family continues his legacy with the company. 

Congratulations to Earnhardt Lexus, Earnhardt Ford and Earnhardt Toyota!