Cardenas Rio Grand Valley

About Cardenas Companies,

Since 1960, The Cardenas companies have been a chain of family-owned and operated group of automotive sales and service facilities.  The highly successful 49-year old Brownsville, Texas -based chain has four dealerships across the lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas.  With locations in Brownsville, Harlingen and San Benito Texas, representing Toyota, Scion, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Mazda, Cadillac, Buick, GMC trucks, Dodge cars and trucks and Isuzu.

The company was founded by Renato E. (Ray) Cardenas when he opened his first automotive service facility a Texaco gas station and full service garage at Third and East Elizabeth in downtown Brownsville.  While operating the gas station he began selling used cars there and a year later opened Ray's Auto Sales on 9th and Adams in Brownsville Texas.  Property that Renato purchased with the intent of expanding his used car operation turned out to be suitable for residential sudivision.  In 1968, Cardenas developed its first residential subdivision and Cardenas Development Co., Inc grew from that investment.

In 1970, Renato purchased his first new car dealership from Carl Murphy who owned Valley Buick Company.  In May of 1971, he finalized the purchase agreement and opened Cardenas Motors Company selling Buick, Opel, American Motors Cars and Jeep.  The dealership quickly built a reputation for reliable service, quality workmanship and dependability.  His wife Mary Rose Cardenas became the company's comptroller that year and remains active in the Autogroup today.  Cardenas added GMC trucks to their line-up in 1973.

In 1974 Cardenas understood and realized that the future of the new car retail auto industry would be a customer convenient location in a high traffic count area.  That year he opened a satellite used-car lot on North Expressway 77. The increase in inventory and knowing the importance of customer loyalty demanded that they relocate from downtown Brownsville to a state of the art modern facility at the same location, which was completed in June of 1976.  The facility not only permitted an expansion in business volume, but provided dealership employees with the finest working conditions.

In 1979, Cardenas added Renault to its line-up.  Three years later in 1982, Cardenas achieved a new level of success with the launch of totally new automotive product to the Rio Grande Valley:  Isuzu cars and trucks.  One year later, Cardenas acquired the Dodge car and trucks franchise.  The momentum continued in1988 when GMC medium duty trucks joined the Cardenas line-up.

The Cardenas family extended its operation into the upper Rio Grande Valley in August of 1992.  Mr. Cardenas' son, Renato G.(Rene) Cardenas, purchased the assets of Valley Magic Motors, Rio Oldsmobile-Cadillac and Cameron Motors in Harlingen from Harry Peterson of Austin Texas.  They formed two new operations known as Cardenas Autoplex, Inc. and Cardenas Enterprises, Inc. dba Cardenas Toyota-BMW.  These dealerships are located on Loop 499 in Harlingen, TX and represent six of the top automotive manufacturers:  Mercedes Benz, Cadillac, Mazda, Toyota, Scion and BMW.

Additionally, a satellite location for pre-owned cars was opened in San Benito in September1994.  This location also adds accessory equipment such as window tint, alarms, wheels, gold packages and much more.  The latest state of the art detail equipment is also available for custom detail service.  Over 49 years later, the location and scope of the business has changed, but the constant emphasis on customer satisfaction remains the same.

Since late 2006, the control of the company has been in the hands of Ray's son, Rene Cardenas.  Under his leadership, the Cardenas Autogroup has grown to become one of the largest retail Hispanic automotive groups in America.  Success has not altered the organizations founding principle.  Every employee at Cardenas dealership knows customer satisfaction is paramount.  They understand continued prosperity as well as further growth, depends upon maintaining this long-established tradition of excellence.

The Cardenas organization respects the time and priorities of our customers and colleagues.  We practice the belief that "there is no best, only better."  Together, we will bring this commitment to life at every opportunity, for our customer.  Our efforts will be guided by two principles: Continues Improvement and Respect for People. 

Cardenas Development a highly successful real estate development company continues to invest and develop real estate in Brownsville, Ranch Viejo, South Padre Island, Harlingen, San Benito and Olmito.  Daughter Reba Cardenas McNair manages the daily operations for the organization.

The Cardenas organization also consists of a Utility Construction Company by the name of CUBCO Construction, Inc.  which specializes in building infrastructure for residential subdivisions and commercial properties.  Since 1985, CUBCO has been under the direction of Renato's other son, Rick Cardenas.