Carlock's Roots

The Kinship Behind Carlock Motorcars

Grover Carlock Sr. had a passion for cars, and while he encountered many customers in his life, none were as memorable as Elvis Presley, who bought his first car from Grover. The story of Carlock Automotive started with more than just a vision; it took a healthy dose of brotherly trust, plus some hard work along the way. In the very small and unassuming town of Guntown, Mississippi, Grover founded a modest used car lot with his brother’s support. It was the 1950s, and the two brothers were planting a seed that would grow far beyond their imagination and years. Grover operated C.C. Motors in East Tupelo before moving to Blytheville, Arkansas, and opening a Pontiac dealership in 1967. After this, the Carlock legacy was officially born – a strong foundation that would uplift the Carlock name for generations to come. This dealership would prove to be a humble beginning for what would eventually become one of the South’s most respected multi-brand automotive groups.

"Williamson County is where our family and our business have grown side by side."

In 1964, the family tree grew a new leaf in the form of a son, Grover Clayborn “Clay” Carlock Jr. He grew up inside the dealership, speaking to customers and learning the rhythms of the business. By the time Clay was old enough to step up, he was more than ready and raring to go.

It was in 1998 that Clay opened Carlock Nissan in Jackson, Tennessee, making his first major move as a principal and continuing the tradition of bold and business-minded Carlock boys. The following year, the family acquired Nissan of Tupelo in Mississippi, expanding the Carlock name in the mid-south. Clay inherited a belief from his family that the right brand in the right community can build something special that lasts, and he was right.

Five years later, in 2003, the family expanded to the Toyota of Tupelo, adding to their successful portfolio and strengthening the Carlock presence in Mississippi with their very trusted nameplate. It was the Carlock’s business savvy and community commitment that brought them the combination of Nissan and Toyota, anchoring them in the market with dual-brand depth. Later, in 2014, the family also acquired the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram franchise in Tupelo.

One of the most transformational moves for the family business was the opening of Carlock Motorcars in Brentwood, Tennessee, bringing the Carlocks to Williamson County in a big way. Clay says this move circled around the idea of “being more than a place that people buy a car,” but really “to be part of the fabric of this community.” Williamson County, as he says, had a certain “sophistication, energy and quality of life you'd expect from a major metropolitan area,” which made it the perfect location, full of “intentionality.”

Carlock Motorcars brought the best of the best: Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Maserati, Alfa Romeo and Lotus. This move, orchestrated by Clay Carlock, put the family dealer from Mississippi on the map. Clay says that opening such an opulent and refined location has felt like “owning part of a professional sports team,” always remaining at the pinnacle of excellence. By 2021, the Carlocks looked to Nashville. The group acquired three Volkswagen dealerships in a single strategic move, making the Carlock name the most dominant Volkswagen presence in Middle Tennessee. As Clay so aptly stated, the Carlocks are always “[challenging themselves] to be even better today than [they] were yesterday,” and these efforts are clear in every acquisition.

The years that followed only brought more momentum to the Carlocks, expanding into Alabama, Louisiana and even Indiana. The Carlock’s ambition, having crossed the Ohio River, proved that they were no longer bound by the south but ready for northward expansion.

Today, the Carlock Automotive Group represents fifteen brands operating in Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Indiana. Though the group has grown in both measurable and immeasurable ways, one thing stays the same: it is still the family that started that used-car lot in Mississippi. The beating heart of Carlock is their family name, passing passion from generation to generation.

Currently, Trace Carlock serves as CEO, the third generation in the leadership role. Volkswagen Cool Springs is managed by Campbell Carlock with Wesley Carlock in the marketing department. Clay stated that passing the business on to his three sons has been “a dream come true,” and watching the boys develop their passions for the business is one of the greatest rewards of his efforts.

The Carlock family now calls Williamson County their home. The county became a place to watch the generations grow, steeped in the values of “hard work, real relationships and taking care of people,” as Clay says.

The Carlocks built upon the roots that Grover Sr. planted back in the 1950s. After Grover started with a lot, his son, Clay, built a regional force, and Grover’s grandchildren are taking it national. The family grows one dealership, one 

community and one customer at a time. With the growth, there is still a motto the family lives by... As their grandfather would say: "Come in a customer, leave as a friend."

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To learn more about Carlock Motorcars, visit carlockmc.com.