Marion Luna Brem

Distinguished Service Citation Award 2003

Marion Luna Brem is the owner and chief executive officer of two dealerships with combined annual revenues of $40 million and 120 employees, along with an advertising agency and real estate holding company. 

In 1982, Brem was diagnosed with breast and cervical cancer. In 1984, Brem and her husband divorced, and at that time, she was unemployed. Years earlier, as a switchboard operator in a car dealership, she’d observed how cars were sold and was convinced she could make a career in automotive sales. She went to 17 dealerships before finding one willing to give her a chance in late 1984. 

In her first year alone, Brem made $100,000 – working as much as 80 hours a week. She paid off all her debts by 1988. In 1989, she acquired her first dealership. In her new role, she demanded that sales pitches be directed to both men and women. She also held no-obligation clinics on how to buy a car.  

In 1999, Brem’s Love Chrysler Plymouth dealership ranked in the top 10 Hispanic businesses in Texas, and in 1998 and 1999, ranked number 89 for Hispanic businesses nationally. 

Also in 1999, Brem received the Avon Women of Enterprise Award and her company was listed in Working Woman’s Magazine as one of the top 500 women-owned companies.  

Brem’s story has been an inspiration to many. The Washington Post, USA Today, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and several other major media outlets have reported on the success story of Marion Luna Brem.

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1982

Marion Luna Brem was diagnosed with cervical and breast cancer

1984

Got her first job working in a car dealership 

1988

After only a few short years at the dealership, Brem paid off her medical bills

1989

Acquired her first car dealership

1998

Brem’s Chrysler dealership was placed in the top 100 Hispanic-owned businesses in the U.S.

1999

Brem’s dealership ranked in the top 10 Hispanic-owned businesses in the U.S.

1999

Received the Avon Women of Enterprise Award and her company was listed in Working Woman’s Magazine as one of the top 500 women-owned companies

2003

Received a Distinguished Service Citation Award from the Automotive Hall of Fame

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