A Santa Monica-based auto retail company has planted its flag in Sacramento, acquiring two Ford dealerships: a commercial fleet center on North 16th Street and a consumer sales facility on Howe Avenue in Arden-Arcade.
The deal, reported by the Sacramento Business Journal, gives DOCS Auto Group a presence in the Sacramento region.
A Tale of Two Dealership Sites
The two properties serve very different customers. The 16th Street location has operated as an exclusive commercial fleet and government vehicle sales center, while the Howe Avenue site in Arden-Arcade has handled the bulk of consumer retail sales — a specialization that dates back to a reconfiguration by the previous owner in late 2022, per Downtown Ford.
The 16th Street location has also offered vehicle pricing and discounts to state and local government employees, with purchases coordinated through the dealership’s Government Fleet Manager, according to the State of California Department of General Services.
The Previous Ownership Transition
Northern California dealer network Price Simms Family Dealerships acquired both Downtown Ford and Harrold Ford from Victory Automotive Group in September 2022 before consolidating the two operations, according to a release from Price Simms.
A Dealership Nameplate With Deep Roots
Downtown Ford's roots in Sacramento run unusually deep for the retail auto business. The nameplate traces its operating history in the area back to 1911, making it one of the city's longest-standing retail auto entities, according to PitchBook — a lineage that has since passed through Victory Automotive Group and Price Simms before landing with DOCS Auto Group this year.
DOCS Auto Group runs automotive franchises across multiple states, including El Cajon Ford and Honda of Pasadena in California and Brandon Ford in Florida, according to the company's own materials.
