Cart Mart vehicle history from an early electric caddie car to modern golf carts and utility vehicles

Family operated since 1959

From electric “Caddie Cars” to a coast-to-coast vehicle company

Cart Mart began with a simple idea: help people move better and take care of them well enough that they come back. More than six decades later, that principle still connects the company’s golf roots, commercial fleet expertise, neighborhood vehicles, rentals, parts, and service.

1959The story begins
65+Years of vehicle experience
10Locations described in Cart Mart’s current network

The Cart Mart timeline

Milestones that kept the company moving

1959

A practical electric beginning

Ben Bellman opens Southwest Marketeer in El Paso, Texas. Its early electric, tiller-steered “Caddie Cars” help golfers move through 18 holes more efficiently.

  • A family business begins around electric mobility.
  • The operating idea is straightforward: hire good people and deliver service that earns repeat customers.
Ben Bellman and his wife standing in the first Cart Mart showroom in 1959
Ben Bellman and his wife in the first Cart Mart showroom, 1959.
1972–1980

California roots and new vehicle partners

Southwest Marketeer moves its operation to San Marcos, California, and becomes Cart Mart. The company then broadens its vehicle relationships.

  • 1972: San Marcos move and Cart Mart name.
  • 1975: Yamaha Golf Car distributor.
  • 1978: Taylor-Dunn dealer.
  • 1980: Cushman dealer.
Illustration of Cart Mart golf car operations in San Marcos during the 1970s
Editorial illustration of the San Marcos growth era—not an archival photograph.
2002–2012

Parts expertise, acquisitions, and a broader portfolio

Cart Mart grows beyond a single showroom story, expanding its parts reach, dealership relationships, and Southern California footprint.

  • 2002: Acquires TaylorDunnParts.com.
  • 2008: Acquires Pacific Golf Cars and becomes an authorized Club Car dealer.
  • 2011: Becomes a Polaris GEM dealer.
  • 2012: Adds Garia and opens a second location in Orange County.
Illustration of Cart Mart parts service and expanding vehicle lines from 2002 to 2012
Editorial illustration of parts, service, and vehicle-line expansion—not an archival photograph.
2016–2020

Recognition meets rapid expansion

New locations, manufacturer awards, national growth recognition, and the company’s 60th anniversary mark an especially active period.

  • 2016: Rancho Mirage becomes the third location.
  • 2017–2019: Inc. growth honors and multiple manufacturer awards.
  • 2018: Club Car Commercial Dealer of the Year and a fourth California location.
  • 2019: Cart Mart celebrates 60 years; CEO Brian Rott receives a San Diego Business Journal leadership honor.
  • 2020: The company expands in the Southeast and opens its La Quinta operation.
Illustration of the Cart Mart team and expanding service rental and commercial fleet operations
Editorial illustration of Cart Mart’s team and operational growth—not an archival photograph.
2022–2025

A growing multistate network

Cart Mart continues expanding its regional support for consumer, commercial, municipal, hospitality, campus, and fleet customers.

  • 2022: The Franklin operation expands support for the greater Nashville and Middle Tennessee market.
  • 2025: Cart Mart announces its 10th location in Northridge, expanding Los Angeles-area capacity for sales, rentals, parts, and service.
Illustration of Cart Mart regional expansion in California and Tennessee from 2022 to 2025
Editorial illustration of the company’s multistate expansion—not an archival photograph.
Today

Still building around people, vehicles, and service

Cart Mart describes its current business as a 10-location network across the United States and Mexico, representing leading personal and commercial vehicle brands.

  • New and pre-owned vehicle sales.
  • In-house and mobile service support.
  • Preventive maintenance, replacement parts, and accessories.
  • Special-event rentals and commercial fleet solutions.
Illustration of modern Cart Mart golf carts low-speed vehicles utility vehicles parts and service
Editorial illustration of Cart Mart’s current consumer and commercial vehicle support.

The next mile

The vehicles have changed. The commitment keeps moving forward.

From early electric golf vehicles to modern LSVs, utility vehicles, commercial fleets, and neighborhood transportation, Cart Mart’s history is ultimately a service story—built by people who know the vehicles and stay involved after the sale.

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