Beyond the Dealership: How Family Values Drive Business Growth

Mario Murgado shares his remarkable journey from Cuban immigrant arriving in America at age four to building a 24-dealership automotive empire across three states. His story reveals how passion for cars, commitment to exceptional customer experiences, and innovative business practices created one of the most successful dealership groups in the country.• Arrived in America as a political refugee just days before his fourth birthday• Started selling Hondas at Braman in 1981, working his way up to leadership positions• Purchased his first dealership in 2001, transforming a struggling operation into one selling 9,000 vehicles annually• Created the unique Ocean Cadillac Museum to celebrate automotive heritage and enhance customer experience• Implements forward-thinking workplace policies with 30% female employees and flexible schedules• Takes a measured approach to electrification, advocating for market-driven rather than government-mandated adoption• Believes strongly in physical dealerships while embracing digital retail options• Maintains core values instilled by his father: perfect attendance, sitting at the front of class, and reading voraciously• Views dealers as essential community pillars rather than just business operators• Encourages the next generation to maintain strong manufacturer relationships while adapting to industry changes• Lives by the philosophy "dream when you're awake" - having clear goals and working persistently toward themVisit our brand new state-of-the-art Cadillac dealership and museum in Miami to experience the Murgado difference for yourself.Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Executive Profile with Jim Fitzpatrick. For more interviews with the leaders shaping retail automotive, visit CBTNews.com and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast platform. If you enjoyed the episode, please rate, review, and share it with someone in the industry.