Longtime car dealership under new ownership

Cannon Motors of Mississippi recently purchased Carlock Ford and Carlock Nissan of Blytheville, and the company is excited to become a part of the local community.

"We are so excited to become a part of the Blytheville community and to start this new journey," owner Michael Joe Cannon said. "We saw a great opportunity and the ability to serve others who were not previously in an area that we [have been] providing to before."

With these purchases, Cannon Motors now owns a total of 14 dealerships. Cannon attributes this growth to great customer service and continued customer satisfaction even after the car buying experience is over.

Cannon said customers are extremely important to him, "whether they spend $2 for a gasket or $60,000 for a new vehicle."

He also said his company is proactive and customer driven not just in sales, but also for things such as maintenance and service. He said his company operates every day fulfilling the "Cannon Culture" which is that "nobody beats a Cannon deal...nobody."

The company was founded by his father in 1956 as a tiny, used car dealership in the small town of Calhoun City, Mississippi. Cannon said that he has continued that tradition and that his company's niche is serving small towns where community involvement is possible.

Michael Joe said that he began by working at his father's dealership only during his summers while attending college and playing football. He never intended to stay in the family business because he wanted to be a football coach. In fact, he spent a few years coaching at Northwest Mississippi Junior College and even at Ole Miss for a few months, but that was cut short upon the death of his father. It was at that point that he returned home took over the family business.

He added, "One of the most important lessons my father taught me was that money spends anywhere. Therefore, we have to treat customers right and do the best. That includes after the sale."

Cannon says that it is that "Cannon Culture" that makes the buying experience at Cannon Motors unlike any other. His dealerships emphasize certain values, such as communication and attitude. That begins internally within the company and expands to their customers.

"I have been blessed to the point that our company now has around 390 employees and a lot of loyal customers. We make sure we give our customers a fair price that they are satisfied with and provide good service after the sale. That is what makes them loyal," Cannon said.

He said he looks forward to bringing a fresh, new level of service and satisfaction to the people of Blytheville and the surrounding area. He also said he recognizes the need to give back to the communities that are so good to him and his employees.

His company now has 12 dealerships in Mississippi and two dealerships in Arkansas.

They include the Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Ford, Lincoln and Buick makes. His dealerships are located in Vicksburg, Miss., Jackson, Miss., Greenwood, Miss., Cleveland, Miss., Oxford, Miss., Calhoun City, Miss. and now Blytheville.

The newest is located at 305 North Service Road. For more information on Cannon Motors, visit nobodybeatsacannondeal.com or the Cannon Motor Company Facebook page at facebook.com/nobodybeatsacannondeal.

thenry@blythevillecourier.com