Autobahn’s acquisition of Frank Kent Motor Co.’s Cadillac dealerships in Fort Worth and Arlington combines two longstanding, family-owned car retailers.
“This is more than a business transaction — it’s a joining of forces between two companies who value people above all,” said Brendan Harrington, president of Autobahn in a statement after the deal closed Oct. 6. “Together, we’re building on legacies of trust while investing in the future of Fort Worth, Arlington and the customers we proudly serve.”
The Cadillac dealerships will continue operating at their current locations and retain the Frank Kent name and brand.
Will Churchill, great-grandson of founder Frank Kent and co-owner of the dealerships with his sister, Corrie Watson, said in July the company had been looking for a way to expand its dealerships to offer employees more career options and began discussions with Autobahn, leading to the acquisition.
Frank Kent Motor Co. was established in 1935 and became a highly successful Ford and Lincoln-Mercury dealer. In 1953, Kent opened a Cadillac dealership that became one of the luxury car manufacturer’s largest-volume retail operations in the country.
Autobahn, which traces its origins to 1979, sells and services brands such as BMW, Volvo, Volkswagen, Jaguar, Porsche, Land Rover and Mini.
Autobahn said the union of the two dealerships would not just expand its brand portfolio but would benefit customers by offering broader access to more luxury automotive brands as well as provide enhanced service and sales capabilities across multiple locations.
Autobahn Fort Worth is planning its own big move soon. The 45-year-old high-end dealership owned by Robert Bass, currently located at 3000 White Settlement Road, is scheduled to break ground Oct. 29 on a 75-acre location at Oakmont Boulevard in southwest Fort Worth near Chisholm Trail Parkway. The new campus is expected to open in spring 2027.
More homes near Bonds Ranch
Farmers Branch-based Centurion American Development Group acquired Rio Claro, a new large-scale residential development in Fort Worth on Oct. 3.
Located southeast of Morris Dido Newark Road and Bonds Ranch Road, the 629-acre community will be developed in four phases and feature approximately 1,761 single-family home sites.
“Fort Worth continues to be one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, and the demand for thoughtfully planned communities has never been greater,” said Mehrdad Moayedi, president and CEO of Centurion American Development Group, in a statement.
Builders in the project will include Coventry Homes, D.R. Horton, First Texas Homes and HistoryMaker Homes. Funding for the Rio Claro development was provided by IBC Bank. The deal was acquired from PMB Capital.
Rio Claro joins other Centurion American residential communities, including the adjacent Estates at Eagle Mountain located at the northeast corner of Morris Dido and Bonds Ranch Road. The Estates at Eagle Mountain is a 836-acre development. The combined communities cover almost 1,500 acres and will be home to approximately 3,000 single-family lots.
Phase one of development is expected to begin soon, with lot delivery to builders anticipated in the first quarter of 2027.
Realtors team up
The boards and membership of the Greater Fort Worth Association of Realtors and the Greater Lewisville Association of Realtors have both approved their strategic partnership.
“This partnership isn’t just a merger. It’s a powerful collaboration that positions us to serve our members and communities better,” said Paul Epperley, 2025 president of the Fort Worth association. “Together, we’re amplifying our voice, growing our reach and ensuring every Realtor has the tools and support they need to succeed.”
The initiative, which began in August, was driven by a shared vision to expand services, enhance advocacy and increase value for Realtors across the region.
Under the new structure, Greater Lewisville members will become full Greater Fort Worth Association of Realtors members with access to expanded services and resources.
A Greater Lewisville Association of Realtors local council will represent the greater Lewisville area, maintaining local leadership and direct community engagement. Members will also see new tools and enhanced professional development services.
The combined association will now have a unified advocacy push at local, state and national levels.
These boots are made for selling
How strong is the so-called “Yellowstone” effect? Tyler-based western wear retailer Cavender’s is betting on a big holiday season and plans a nationwide hiring push.
The company will add more than 1,500 seasonal team members across its more than 100 stores in 17 states, aiming to have 50% of seasonal hires in place by October 13 and 100% by Nov. 3. Cavender’s has two locations in Fort Worth, including one in the Stockyards.
You auto love it
A Colleyville couple and owners of an auto service business are looking for deserving recipients for their Autos of Love program, which provides refurbished vehicles to uplift lives by providing reliable transportation.
They have so far provided two vehicles and are now looking to donate a third.
Dane and Cathy Bailey were impressed with how their California friends had given away about 10 reconditioned cars through their independent auto repair shop to recipients who needed transportation.
The Baileys own Auto Experts of Colleyville, 6800 Colleyville Blvd., where they have been operating since 2013, servicing imports and domestic vehicles.
They are now accepting applications through Oct. 17 for the third vehicle, which will be given away in November.
Each Autos of Love car recipient also receives an entire year’s free service
and maintenance.
The criteria is that the applicant must be a Tarrant County resident, have a valid Texas driver’s license, not currently own a reliable vehicle and be able to pay for auto insurance.
“The recipient needed to put the car to the greatest use,” said Dane Bailey. “We made sure the recipient could pay to operate the car and improve their life.”
To nominate someone to receive the next Autos of Love vehicle or to make a donation to the program, www.autosoflove.org.
Do you have something for the Bob on Business column? Email Bob Francis, business editor for the Fort Worth Report, at bob.francis@fortworthreport.org.
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