The story of Mission Chevrolet on George Dieter is intertwined with the evolution of El Paso's automotive landscape and the growth of local dealership groups. From its early beginnings to its present-day context within a bustling auto sales hub, Mission Chevrolet has witnessed significant changes.
Early Days and Architectural Echoes
To understand the story, it's helpful to look back at the architectural styles of early Chevrolet dealerships. The front door to the Mission Chevrolet showroom was on Mission Street, but the Service entrance was on Valencia, just south of Army/Cesar Chavez. Examining historical images reveals fascinating details. For example, a vintage photo shows Bernal Hill in the background, bare and without Sutro Tower or trees. Architectural details, though sometimes hard to discern in older photos, often persist. The flagpole, Spanish-style roof, and arches from the original entrances can still be seen today. A notable detail is the bas-relief roundel above the arches.
The Rise of Casa Auto Group
The automotive scene on George Dieter has seen considerable activity, including acquisitions and expansions. A key player in this evolution is the Casa Auto Group. Casa Auto Group have been in El Paso for almost 50 years. Casa was started 47 years ago by Wally Lowenfield, Clay Lowenfield's late father and the Lowenfield sons' grandfather, when he purchased the Ford dealership at 5815 Montana. The Nissan dealership, located next to the Ford dealership, was added in 1984. The group also operates La Casita used car lot at 5701 Trowbridge. The Casa dealerships sold 9,106 new and used cars last year, Luke Lowenfield reported.
In a significant move, a year-old East El Paso Kia dealership became part of the Casa Auto Group, which already operated Casa Ford-Lincoln and Casa Nissan in East Central El Paso. Luke Lowenfield, general manager of Casa Kia, and vice president and part owner of Casa Auto Group, explained, "A broker contacted us in November notifying us of this opportunity. We are in a growth mode. We are looking for (El Paso) acquisitions." Casa completed the purchase of Integrity Kia from North Dakota auto dealer Bill Barth on February 29 and began operating the dealership at 1374 George Dieter as Casa Kia on March 1.
Casa Kia employs about 60 people, with most retained from the previous ownership, according to Lowenfield. Luke Lowenfield, 32, along with his three brothers-Justin, Ronnie, and Miles Lowenfield-are part owners of the Casa dealerships, having taken over day-to-day operations from their father, Clay Lowenfield, the majority owner and president of the Casa dealership group.
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Competition and Community Impact
The concentration of dealerships in the George Dieter area has fostered a competitive environment. Denny Neessen, president of Rudolph Chevrolet and part owner of three other Rudolph dealerships in El Paso, acknowledged the Lowenfields' "first-class business" and noted that local ownership tends to support the community more than out-of-town owners. He also pointed out that Kia's George Dieter location is strategically advantageous, as it has become one of the city's auto sales hubs, with Mission Chevrolet and Viva Nissan nearby. Neessen's own plans to move Rudolph Mazda East to the same area near Las Palmas Marketplace further underscore the area's growing importance as an automotive center.
Casa Kia's Growth Strategy
Casa Kia has ambitious plans for growth and expansion. Luke Lowenfield noted that Integrity Kia was selling about 100 new cars per month. Casa Kia aimed to sell about 100 new and 100 used cars initially, with expectations to increase to about 150 new and 200 used cars per month as operations reach full speed. "Integrity Kia was doing OK with new cars, but not marketing used vehicles. So, we saw an opportunity for improvement," Lowenfield explained. To support this growth, Casa planned to pave an adjacent dirt lot to add another 500 cars to its inventory. The Kia dealership currently stocks about 300 new cars and 100 used cars.
Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles at Mission Chevrolet
Mission Chevrolet offers Chevrolet Certified Pre-Owned vehicles. Purchasing a certified pre-owned vehicle allows customers to save money while still getting a high-quality vehicle. These vehicles come with benefits, including comprehensive pre-owned vehicle packages. If a customer is not satisfied with their certified pre-owned Chevrolet or GM model, they can exchange it for another Chevrolet, Buick, or GMC model within three days or 150 miles. A certified pre-owned Chevy or GM model also comes with a CARFAX vehicle history report.
The Lowenfield Brothers' Unexpected Path
Lowenfield shared that he and his brothers didn't envision working together in the dealerships when they initially left El Paso to pursue degrees at various universities. He himself earned a law degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 2010. "It's cool to have us all in the dealerships," he said.
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