Our History

Dobbs Family Automotive is our group of franchise automobile dealerships. The Dobbs Family has a rich history in serving automobile customers in Memphis and Mid-South dating back to the 1920s. Three generations of Dobbs family members have been involved with various automobile manufacturers, including Ford, Honda, Toyota, Lexus, and others throughout the United States.

If you are shopping for a competitive price on a new or pre-owned Ford, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram or Toyota, then visit the car dealership of your choice that is part of the Dobbs Family Automotive in Memphis, Tennessee! Our current dealerships include: Red River Ford of Cabot, Red River Dodge Heber Springs, Red River Dodge Malvern, Toyota of Longview and Shawnee Mission Ford.

History

1921

In 1921, James K. Dobbs, alongside business partner Horace Hull, took out a loan and opened his first Ford auto dealership. Dobbs and Hull quickly became the first national dealership chain with over 60 locations.

1942

In 1942, as the country reacted to the attack on Pearl Harbor, the government quickly began freezing new car inventories and converting factories for the war effort. With a sizable loan, Hull-Dobbs Enterprises bought over 3,000 new and used cars and stored them. After the war, they were one of only a few companies that had cars to sell to returning GIs.

1951

In 1951, Dobbs Fleet Leasing was created alongside the family's dealership business. Providing nationwide fleet management to companies with fleets up to 500 vehicles, Dobbs Fleet Leasing further established Dobbs as a committed partner to business customers and original manufacturers.

1971

1998

By 1998, the Dobbs family had been in the automotive dealership business for more than 80 years and the Dobbs Automotive Group was the third-largest retailer in the nation.

2016

John Hull Dobbs, Jr. continues the Dobbs family's legacy in automotive dealership business with the acquisition of Shawnee Mission Ford.

2018

In June, Dobbs Family Automotive expands with the acquisition of Red River Dodge of Heber Spring and Red Rived Dodge of Malvern in partnership with Mitch Ward.

In October, Dobbs Family Automotive expands with the acquisition of Toyota of Longview.

2019

In October, Dobbs Family Automotive expands in partnership with Mitch Ward and Lee Owens to acquire Red River Ford of Cabot.

Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this site, absolute accuracy cannot be guaranteed. This site, and all information and materials appearing on it, are presented to the user "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. All vehicles are subject to prior sale. Price does not include applicable tax, title, license, processing and/or documentation fees, and destination charges. ‡Vehicles shown at different locations are not currently in our inventory (Not in Stock) but can be made available to you at our location within a reasonable date from the time of your request, not to exceed one week.