Mears Mazda Volvo

Mears Motors was established in 1971. James and Kay Mears ran the business at that time with the boys, Bob and Andy, helping out after school. James had a long background in the car business, having worked for Modern Chevrolet and Montgomery Volkswagen prior to opening his own dealership. After many successful years in the used car business in Lubbock, the family decided to commit to a new car franchise. Bob had been working at Plains Mazda for a couple of years and had some insight about the Mazda product. In 1975, the Mazda franchise was purchased and the Mears family has never looked back. The dealership was operated in a Burger Chef building on 43rd and Q at that time. It was a very small property for a new car business, but the overhead was low. After a few years there, we moved back into the old Plains Mazda building on 19th and L. At that time, we thought we would never use all of that space. After all, in the old building, there were only two stalls for repair - and only two technicians. Business was great, and with all that space, the family was looking for more franchises. In 1977, we acquired the MG, Jaguar, and Triumph franchise, which was kept until they pulled out of the U.S. in 1980. We acquired the Volvo Franchise shortly thereafter, and it has been very successful and a compliment to the Mazda line. In 1989 the Avanti line was also acquired. In 2001, the dealership moved to the current location at Spur 327 and Iola. Though there was a lot of worrying about the higher overhead, it turned out to be the best business move we ever made. Business has been strong and steadily improving every month since the move. The Mazda and Volvo lines have proven to be two automobiles that fit the Mears business practices quite well; they are the type of cars you sell your friends and neighbors and never have a worry. It would be difficult to even count the loyal, repeat customers that the Mears family has helped with their car purchases over the last 45 years. It's hard to believe that we have now sold three generations of automobiles. Many of our customers are in their double digit purchases from Mears. Lubbock is a big city, but we still have a small-town mentality - we could never have enjoyed so much success if it weren't for our happy customers who keep coming back and recommending us to their friends. James retired in 1983, leaving Bob and Andy to run the show. They are both full time employees, and in the store most of the time. Come on down and see for yourself how different the car-buying experience can be - at one of the few local, family owned and operated dealerships left in Texas.