The Story of Family Motors

Jose Arredondo was born in the village of Cualcoman, in the Mexican state of Michoacan. The fourth of 11 children, he was so poor that he did not receive any toys at Christmas and at just 6 years old Jose picked corn, onions, tomatoes and chilies to help his family survive.

When Jose was 12, his father, Fidel, and his siblings traveled from Michoacan to Tijuana. They waited for months before they could finally cross into the U.S. Jose and his younger siblings stayed behind.

Staying behind, Jose shined shoes for 10 cents to have money for food. His customers liked his work and cheerful attitude so much that they would often give him another quarter. "I learned that by smiling and having a good attitude, you make other people happy."

Along with his brothers and sisters Jose tried five times to cross the border before they finally succeeded. They trudged through the desert the entire night to avoid the Border Patrol. "I was frightened to death to come to a country without knowing the language, but I was hungry for a better life." Jose is now a U.S. citizen.

Jose attended junior high school in Saugus and high school in the San Fernando Valley. He dropped out of school to help support his family.

In 1977 he started washing cars at a Mission Hills dealership to help his mother, Maria de Jesus Lopez Arredondo. Though only 17 he made $325 every two weeks. His attitude was so upbeat that he was given the chance to sell cars on weekends.

During his first month Jose sold 12 automobiles. He made $4,000 despite the fact that his English was so poor, spening much of the time gesturing with his hands. After that he became a full-time salesman. "I remember when they sent me home to put a tie on and I didn't even own one." He borrowed one from another salesman. Jose decided the best sales approach with customers was to be truthful and polite, instead of pressuring them with sales pitches. This was a part of his personality, and it came naturally. It worked.

Jose Arredondo saved his money and purchased various properties, making improvements and then selling them. In 1990 he purchased an auto-body shop and a convenience store in Los Angeles, staying there for three years.

Jose's ambitions were high and he yearned to run a big business. In 1993 he heard about a car lot that was losing money at the Auto Mall in Bakersfield. Never being to Kern County before, he traveled there and inspected the lot. Seeing the building he felt very sad: "I walked into the showroom and I felt that there was no spirit." Jose didn't do any marketing or demographic studies... he just went with his gut feeling and bought it.

The 5-acre Family Motors lot now holds up to 300 cars. Since 1993 Jose has expanded his dealership group by adding Taft Family Motors, Family Used Cars, Delano Family Motors, Delano Family Motors Hyundai, Fillmore Family Motors and Santa Paula Family Motors. In addition, he owns Family Realty, Jose's Golf Range & Pro Shop and Family Motors Auto Body And Paint, a state-of-the-art auto, body and paint shop.

Jose is involved in the community on a daily basis. He travels to various schools in the county to talk with the children, he encourages them to stay in school and get an education, and donates money for scholarships to local elementary, junior high, high school, college and university students.

When Jose is not selling cars or running his businesses he takes time to visit and feed the farm labor workers. He provides them food, drink and entertainment. He remembers his past and helps those who are less fortunate.

Jose Arredondo is a dealer who cares for people. To him, service, dedication and honesty are not only words... they express his way of doing business. Jose likes to build customer relationships that last for a lifetime.