About us
Garrett Motors | Chevrolet & GMC Dealer in Coolidge, Arizona
Serving Arizona with Integrity Since 1936
Located at 197 N Arizona Blvd in Coolidge, Arizona, Garrett Motors is proud to be the longest-running car dealership in Coolidge. We are a family-owned and operated Chevrolet and GMC dealership with deep roots in the community and a rich history of serving Arizona drivers since 1936.
Our story began during the Great Depression when Jack Garrett and Johnny Zellweger opened a small dealership offering Oldsmobile vehicles, Case farm equipment, and Rust cotton pickers. Back then, Coolidge was a major stop along the state highway and rail line between Phoenix and Tucson. Operating out of a modest 50' x 80' wood and corrugated metal building with just 15 employees, our founders laid the groundwork for what Garrett Motors would become.
World War II and a New Generation
The 1940s brought World War II, which greatly limited the availability of vehicles and tractors. Still, Garrett Motors adapted. After the war, Jim Garrett Sr. and Bud Gillespie, both proud Marines, joined the business—Jim managed vehicles while Bud oversaw tractors and equipment. As the economy surged, Johnny Zellweger handed full ownership to Jack Garrett, solidifying the Garrett family's leadership.
Growth Through the Decades
The 1950s and 1960s saw growth as air conditioning made Arizona a more attractive place to live, and Coolidge remained a hub for cotton farming, even as Interstate 10 redirected traffic away from the town.
In the mid-1970s, Garrett Motors added Jeep to its lineup. After Jack Garrett passed in 1974, Jim Garrett Sr. took over and handed off the Case equipment business to Bud, who relocated it nearby.
A New Era: Chevrolet Comes to Coolidge
In 1981, Jim Garrett Jr. joined the family business full-time after graduating from Arizona State University. Times were tough, with vehicle interest rates in the 20% range. In 1984, when the local Chevrolet dealer closed, General Motors awarded Garrett Motors the Chevrolet franchise, strengthening our footprint in Coolidge. As a result, we dropped the Jeep line and focused on Chevrolet and Oldsmobile.
Jim Jr. married Lisa in 1986, who joined the team in 1988 as they welcomed their first son, JD (James Garrett III). Their second son, Charlie, was born in 1990.
Expansion and Continued Community Focus
The 1990s marked a new chapter of expansion. A large service facility was added, and the dealership underwent its largest remodel to date.
By the 2000s, we acquired more nearby properties to meet growing demand. In 2004, we mourned the loss of Jim Garrett Sr., who passed at age 82. That same year, Garrett Motors purchased the Buick, Pontiac, GMC dealership in town.
The 2008 economic downturn and Pontiac’s closure in 2009 posed new challenges, but we adapted once again—continuing to serve Coolidge as a Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC dealership.
The Only New Car Dealership in Coolidge
When the local Ford dealership closed in the 2010s, Garrett Motors became the only new car dealership in Coolidge. JD Garrett joined full time in 2012, rising through the service department. By 2013, we had grown to 32 employees, a number that would continue to rise. In 2015, we completed another major remodel, bringing Garrett Motors into the modern era with a new, GM-required facility upgrade. Charlie joined in 2017, continuing the family tradition.
Resilience During COVID-19 and Beyond
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 brought supply chain challenges, but our service department thrived as customers kept their vehicles longer. Garrett Motors acquired additional land to meet increased service and sales demand.
In 2024, GM purchased the Buick franchise back, and today, Garrett Motors proudly operates as a Chevrolet, GMC, and Pre-Owned vehicle dealership. We now employ nearly 50 dedicated team members, 4 of which have been with us over 30 years, 4 more for over 20 years and 5 more over 10 years, serving drivers from Coolidge, Casa Grande, Florence, San Tan Valley, and beyond.
Whether you're shopping for a new Chevrolet Silverado, a pre-owned SUV, or need expert auto service, Garrett Motors is here for you—just as we have been for over 85 years.