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Lubbock's second-longest tenured auto dealership family is exiting the automotive business.

Monday afternoon, the San Antonio-based Cavender Auto Family officially announced the acquisition of the Alderson Automotive Group.

Alderson started in Lubbock on September 1, 1949 and the Cadillac dealership sold 143 new vehicles in its first year of business. (Scoggin-Dickey is the oldest dealership in Lubbock, marking 90 years in 2019; founded in 1929 by  A.L. Scoggin and J. Ray Dickey.)

The Alderson Automotive Group for all of its history specialized in selling luxury automotive brands, such as Cadillac, BMW, Mercedes Benz, and Lexus. In 2021 Alderson had a total of 8 dealerships, six in Lubbock and two in Midland.

The purchase officially includes: Alderson European Motors Mercedes Benz Lubbock, Alderson BMW, Alderson Cadillac, Alderson European Motors Sprinter Lubbock, Alderson Lexus, Audi Lubbock, along with Alderson European Motors Mercedes Benz Midland and Alderson European Motors Sprinter Midland.

“The Alderson Auto Group has a 72-year tradition of automotive excellence in the Luxury Automotive space,” said Stephen Cavender.  “David Alderson has been a family friend of ours for over 25 years. His care and contributions to his community, his customers and his associates mirror the very values that have built the Cavender Auto Family’s success over the last 81 years. We are excited to carry on this fine tradition, serve this vibrant community and welcome the Alderson associates to the Cavender Auto Family.”

The Cavenders note they will plan to retain all of Alderson's current employees, totaling about 230 people. Also, all eight Alderson dealerships will be rebranded with the Cavender name.

“When I made the decision that it was time to transition our family of dealerships to another family, there were two or three Texas car dealer families that I would consider. I couldn’t ask for a better family than the Cavender family to carry on what we have done for 72 years in West Texas and Eastern New Mexico,” said David Alderson. “They are committed to the community, they are philanthropic. The Alderson family has a long tradition of giving back to the communities that have blessed us so much and I know that the Cavender family will do the same with our dealerships and associates.”

Cavender Auto Family management notes that in 2020 their auto group posted revenues of $1 billion, sold over 25,000 new and used vehicles.

Alderson Auto Group History:

Alderson Cadillac was founded by Walter G. Alderson and his son, Gene Alderson, on September 1, 1949. Intent on building their new business with the Alderson philosophy of focusing on relationships, service and community as its foundation and with a staff of 8, they sold 143 new Cadillacs in their first year of business.

Walter's other two sons, Orville and Jack, became partners in the early 1950s. Gene became President while Jack assumed the duties of Sales Manager. The business flourished and, in 1956, a new 22,000 square-foot building, housing 38 employees, was opened at 1210 19th Street, where the dealership still remains.

Jack assumed presidential duties in 1982, and his son David also joined the Alderson team to continue the legacy as the third generation to work in the family business. As the current President & CEO, David Alderson solidifies the heritage of the Alderson name.

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