Our History
Historically, California begins in San Diego. America's finest city is known throughout the world for its unique climate, natural harbor, canyons and tablelands. But most of all it is known for all its cherished traditions of hospitality and neighborliness. It's a place where a handshake on a deal still means something.
Marvin K. Brown, born in Detroit, Michigan and founder of Marvin K. Brown Auto Center in Mission Valley, believed in those respected traditions. He came to California in 1911. He loved San Diego and made it his home in 1938. He served as Sales Manager for San Diego's Don Lee Cadillac and, through the war years, as its General Manager. After supervising various Los Angeles GM Dealerships, he knew the finest city was the place to be. In 1950, he had the opportunity to buy a dealership of his own in San Diego and opened for business in downtown. He loved the town and the people and saw opportunity and exciting development in store for the future.
And San Diego loved him too. His pre-high rise downtown dealership flourished. He was a popular figure in San Diego life: President of the San Diego Motor Car Dealers Association, active in the Lions Club, La Jolla Presbyterian Church and a seven year board member of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce. Brown always had his eyes open for expansion and growth; the kind of vision that marks each and every successful San Diegan.
Jim Brown joined his father in the business in the 1960's after college and a stint at the General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan. Jim Brown learned the family well, from parts-shagger to Used Car Manager, and succeeded his father as dealer principal in 1964. Brown Senior's vision of San Diego's growth rubbed off on son Jim. And in 1967, Jim Brown chose one of the wild sides of the San Diego river for the new expanded home of Marvin K. Brown Auto Center. It stands there today, overlooking the incredible economic development his dad foresaw.
Marvin K. Brown breaks ground for new expansion in 1965 in Mission Valley. Marvin K. Brown is San Diego's exclusive, and the largest Cadillac dealer in the County. It's professional staff is committed to the same quality and exacting standards that go into each vehicle produced by the prestigious Cadillac motor car division.
"Buying an auto at Marvin K. Brown Auto Center is different," says Jim Brown. "We want San Diego's Cadillac, Saab, Hummer, Buick and GMC business now and in the future. We've sold and serviced many thousands of cars here since 1950 and we have a reputation for quality that our friends and neighbors expect from us. We want to continue earning their respect."
Dave Grundstrom, a long time General Manager of the company, is now the Chairman of the Auto Center. Jennifer Brown is the President of the dealership. Visit us today! Browse our used car inventory online 24/7 at mkb.com!
Historically, California begins in San Diego. America's finest city is known throughout the world for its unique climate, natural harbor, canyons and tablelands. But most of all it is known for all its cherished traditions of hospitality and neighborliness. It's a place where a handshake on a deal still means something.
Marvin K. Brown, born in Detroit, Michigan and founder of Marvin K. Brown Auto Center in Mission Valley, believed in those respected traditions. He came to California in 1911. He loved San Diego and made it his home in 1938. He served as Sales Manager for San Diego's Don Lee Cadillac and, through the war years, as its General Manager. After supervising various Los Angeles GM Dealerships, he knew the finest city was the place to be. In 1950, he had the opportunity to buy a dealership of his own in San Diego and opened for business in downtown. He loved the town and the people and saw opportunity and exciting development in store for the future. And San Diego loved him too. His pre-high rise downtown dealership flourished. He was a popular figure in San Diego life: President of the San Diego Motor Car Dealers Association, active in the Lions Club, La Jolla Presbyterian Church and a seven year board member of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce. Brown always had his eyes open for expansion and growth; the kind of vision that marks each and every successful San Diegan.Jim Brown joined his father in the business in the 1960's after college and a stint at the General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan. Jim Brown learned the family well, from parts-shagger to Used Car Manager, and succeeded his father as dealer principal in 1964. Brown Senior's vision of San Diego's growth rubbed off on son Jim. And in 1967, Jim Brown chose one of the wild sides of the San Diego river for the new expanded home of Marvin K. Brown Auto Center. It stands there today, overlooking the incredible economic development his dad foresaw.
Marvin K. Brown breaks ground for new expansion in 1965 in Mission Valley. Marvin K. Brown is San Diego's exclusive, and the largest Cadillac dealer in the County. It's professional staff is committed to the same quality and exacting standards that go into each vehicle produced by the prestigious Cadillac motor car division.
"Buying an auto at Marvin K. Brown Auto Center is different," says Jim Brown. "We want San Diego's Cadillac, Saab, Hummer, Buick and GMC business now and in the future. We've sold and serviced many thousands of cars here since 1950 and we have a reputation for quality that our friends and neighbors expect from us. We want to continue earning their respect."
Dave Grundstrom, a long time General Manager of the company, is now the Chairman of the Auto Center. Jennifer Brown is the President of the dealership. Visit us today! Browse our used car inventory online 24/7 at mkb.com!