Put people first
The company’s early philosophy connected employee care directly to customer care. Skilled, dependable teams made it possible to keep service personal even as Cart Mart grew.
A Cart Mart anniversary story
60 years later, Cart Mart was still growing faster than ever
In 2019, Cart Mart marked six decades in business by looking back at the people, service ideas, and changing vehicle needs that kept the company moving forward.
1959
A practical beginning
A simple idea became a lasting company
Cart Mart’s story began when Ben Bellman opened Southwest Marketeer in El Paso, Texas. Its early electric, tiller-steered “Caddie Cars” helped golfers cover 18 holes more efficiently—but the operating idea behind the vehicles mattered just as much.
Hire good people. Offer a product that solves a real need. Support customers well enough that they want to return. That foundation carried the company to San Marcos, California, in 1972 and continued to shape Cart Mart as the business expanded.
The growth engine
Four ideas kept Cart Mart moving
Growth did not come from standing still. It came from repeatedly adapting the business around the way customers actually use, maintain, and depend on their vehicles.
Bring service to the customer
Mobile service helped owners and fleet operators reduce the disruption of moving a vehicle to a shop. Cart Mart’s “Repair Before Failure” mindset also put preventive maintenance ahead of avoidable downtime.
Build a serious rental operation
Dedicated rental specialists and event support turned temporary transportation into an important part of the business, serving everything from local needs to major events.
Follow how vehicles were changing
Cart Mart expanded beyond traditional golf use as customers adopted low-speed vehicles, neighborhood transportation, utility vehicles, and commercial fleet solutions.
More than a vehicle sale
Service made the growth story durable
The anniversary article did not describe growth as a showroom-only achievement. It pointed to the systems surrounding every vehicle: trained technicians, mobile response, preventive maintenance, parts access, rentals, and manufacturer relationships.
Those capabilities helped Cart Mart serve customers whose vehicles were used for golf, neighborhood travel, facilities work, hospitality, events, and day-to-day commercial operations.
- Prevent problems early: maintenance can protect vehicle reliability and reduce avoidable downtime.
- Meet customers where they operate: mobile support can make service more practical for owners and fleets.
- Know the application: the right vehicle depends on passengers, terrain, distance, payload, and local rules.
- Stay involved after delivery: parts, service, accessories, and fleet support are part of the ownership experience.
Still moving forward
The anniversary passed. The principle stayed.
Cart Mart’s vehicle lines, locations, and capabilities continue to evolve, but the core idea remains recognizable: pair useful vehicles with knowledgeable people and support that lasts beyond the sale.