
Red McCombs Automotive
Red McCombs is recognized as one of the leading automobile dealers in the United States. His career began in 1950, and by 1953 he already owned his first car lot. After beginning in Corpus Christi, he had the opportunity to help save a Ford dealership in San Antonio, so he packed up his family and moved to his new hometown in 1958.
Red has owned and represented almost every brand of vehicle in his retail dealerships, and was also an importer and distributor for Japanese and Korean brands. Not only did he grow his group, but he did so maintaining excellence at his stores, receiving countless awards for sales and service excellence from the manufacturers. He has held numerous leadership positions in the industry, including with the Texas Auto Dealers Association and the National Auto Dealers Association.


Red was inducted into the NADA Hall of Fame for having fought to protect locally franchised dealers and innovating aftermarket products and customer service divisions which are now industry standard. By the mid-1990s, Red McCombs Automotive ranked as high as 6th in the U.S. in sales, with more than 50 locations. More recently, the Texas Historical Commission recognized the business with the Texas Treasure Business Award, given to organizations that provide employment opportunities and support the state’s economy for 50 years or more.
Today, Red McCombs Automotive, under the helm of daughter Marsha McCombs Shields since 2002, is still a consistent member of the Top 100 Dealers in the U.S. Focused primarily in South Texas, Marsha has helped grow the group while maintaining the business excellence for which the McCombs name is known. With Marsha’s guidance, the stores have earned dozens of nationally-recognized awards for sales and service excellence, including many President’s Awards. In addition, the more than 1,000 associates who work with the auto team have repeatedly named it one of San Antonio’s best workplaces.
Red McCombs Automotive is proud to follow in the footsteps of the McCombs family by supporting the community through a number of organizations, including The 100 Club, Blue Santa, the Presa Community Center, the San Antonio Food Bank, various spay and neuter clinics, The Forgotten Child Organization, and the Fisher House. In addition, 98 percent of our associates contribute to the United Way campaign each year. The automotive team also has a Partnership in Education (PIE) program which supports school districts across Bexar County and provides special discounts for educators.
To connect with our dealerships, please visit the Red McCombs Automotive homepage.