A heavyweight in heavy equipment gets into auto sales

With Doggett’s Lone Star Ford buyout, the dealership will receive a new name and move to a new North Freeway spot

Doggett, one of the nation’s largest heavy equipment dealers, is getting into the automotive business.

The Houston-based commercial, industrial and construction equipment dealer acquired Lone Star Ford from North Carolina-based Sonic Automotive for an undisclosed amount this week.

Doggett Auto Group, an affiliate of Leslie Doggett Industries, plans to rename the dealership Doggett Ford and move it from its 8477 North Freeway spot to 9115 North Freeway, next to Doggett’s John Deere Construction and Forestry location.

“Ford Motor Co. and Doggett Ford are eager to return this store to its former status as one of the United States’ largest-volume Ford Stores,” William Doggett, the company’s general counsel, said in a statement. “We are also very proud to represent Ford, and to have the opportunity to take over one of Houston’s oldest and best known dealerships.”

The company’s automotive division will be led by Tony Gracely, who built his fortune on car dealerships. Doggett Ford plans to sell to a variety of buyers, from usedcar customers to commercial fleet owners. The dealership will have a bilingual sales staff, officials said.

Doggett, one of Houston’s largest private companies, operates 33 heavy equipment dealerships that sell Freightliner trucks, John Deere construction and forestry equipment, Link Belt cranes and Toyota forklifts. The familyowned company has 1,300 full-time employees and over $1 billion in annual sales.

Dave Rossman Doggett, which is one of the Houston area’s largest private companies, runs 33 heavy equipment dealerships, such as the one on Interstate 45 North.