Elkader, Guttenberg, West Branch, and Dyersville Chevrolet, Ford, Jeep, Dodge and Ram Dealer

Brown's Family of Dealerships

Different locations. Familiar people. One family story.

Four Iowa locations, seven vehicle brands, and more than 60 years of relationships built one community at a time.

Brown's began in Guttenberg in 1964 with one Ford franchise, one employee, a one-car showroom, and a three-car service department. The family has grown into Elkader, Dyersville, and West Branch, but growth was never meant to make the stores feel farther away. Each location has its own team and community ties. When one store does not have the vehicle or answer someone needs, there are more people across the Brown's family who can help.

Find Your Brown's Location Shop All Vehicles Contact the Group

Forest Brown of Brown's Family of Dealerships

Choose a starting point

What brings you to Brown's?

Begin with the need you have. The group site can help you find the right vehicle, service team, or local store.

New Vehicles

Compare new inventory across seven automotive brands and four Iowa communities.

Used Vehicles

Browse used cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs available throughout the Brown's group.

Service and Parts

Choose the Brown's service department that is closest or best suited to your vehicle.

Find a Location

Meet the local store serving Guttenberg, Elkader, Dyersville, or West Branch.

Built in small towns

The group grew by becoming part of each community.

Brown's did not begin as a dealership group. It began as a young owner's opportunity to serve his community.

Dave Brown was 24 when he received the Ford franchise in Guttenberg. At that time, he was the youngest person to be awarded a Ford franchise. What followed was not a quick expansion. It was years of knowing customers, standing behind a promise, and earning the next conversation.

Over time, Elkader, Dyersville, and West Branch became part of the story. In each community, Brown's found people who already knew their guests and took pride in being there when they were needed. The family brought additional inventory and support, while the local teams kept the relationships and everyday familiarity that made each store feel at home.

Family-owned since 1964

Each community has its own way of doing things.

Brown's locations are connected, but they are not meant to lose what makes them local. Guttenberg carries the history of where Brown's began. Elkader brings several brands together under one familiar team. Victory Ford has its own Dyersville identity. West Branch serves eastern Iowa through its Ford and CDJR teams.

Forest Brown carries the second generation of family ownership. He spends time with employees and guests and listens to what the people in each community need from their store.

When a local team can draw on more inventory, brand knowledge, or another store's experience, it should make helping someone easier. It should never make the relationship feel less personal.

Explore the Brown's Heritage

Family-owned dealership history since 1964
Four locations in four Iowa communities
Seven new-vehicle brands
Used inventory shared across the group
Local sales, service, and parts relationships
People who know their store and community

Four locations, one connected family

Every Brown's location has a story of its own.

Choose the store that fits your location, preferred brand, or current vehicle. Each link opens the local dealership site, where you will find that store's inventory, people, service details, and contact information.

Brown's Elkader

Elkader, Iowa

One local team connects shoppers with Ford, Chevrolet, Buick, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram choices.

Ford Chevrolet Buick CDJR

Brown's Guttenberg

Guttenberg, Iowa

Guttenberg is where Brown's began. Today, the local team serves Ford and Chevrolet guests and is also home to Brown's RV and marine operations.

Ford Chevrolet RV & Marine

Victory Ford

Dyersville, Iowa

Victory Ford brings its own Dyersville identity to the Brown's family, serving new Ford and used-vehicle shoppers.

Visit Victory Ford

Brown's West Branch

West Branch, Iowa

Beginning in September 2026, the Ford and CDJR teams serve West Branch together from the new shared facility at 305 Tidewater Drive.

Ford Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep & Ram

More ways to find the right vehicle

Shop the group without losing your local point of contact.

Brown's stores carry new Ford, Chevrolet, Buick, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram vehicles, along with used cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs from many manufacturers. The group inventory gives you more places to look while allowing the conversation to begin with the location you know.

Tell the local team what the vehicle needs to do, which features matter, and where you have flexibility. They can help compare available inventory and, when availability and logistics allow, discuss whether a vehicle at another Brown's store can be brought closer for you to see.

Shop New Vehicles Shop Used Vehicles

What the group connection can add

One store may have the exact model, equipment, color, or used vehicle that another location does not. Shared visibility can shorten the search and give your local contact a better place to start.

Inventory changes quickly, and transfers are not guaranteed. The commitment is a clear answer about what is available, what may be possible, and who is following up.

Ask about a vehicle anywhere in the Brown's group.

Service and parts across the group

Start with the service team that knows your vehicle or your community.

Brown's service departments support routine maintenance, diagnostics, warranty and recall work, parts, and larger repairs. Brand certifications and available services vary by location, so the group service page helps route you to Elkader, Guttenberg, Dyersville, or West Branch.

Oil changes and scheduled maintenance
Tire, brake, battery, and alignment service
Diagnostics and mechanical repairs
Brand warranty and recall support
OEM parts and accessories
Location-specific convenience options
Help identifying the right service department
Service support for vehicles purchased elsewhere

Visit the group service page to choose a location. If you are unsure where to start, call the nearest Brown's store and explain what the vehicle needs.

Sell or trade your vehicle

Use its value toward another vehicle or sell it without replacing it.

Your current vehicle can be part of another purchase, but it does not have to be. A Brown's location can review your car, truck, van, or SUV and discuss the appropriate path even when you are not buying a replacement.

Start with the trade-value tool when you are shopping, or use the vehicle-selling page when you simply want to sell. A final offer depends on the vehicle, the information provided, and an in-person review.

Sell Your Vehicle

Bring the information that helps

Have your title or payoff information, registration, identification, keys, and available service records ready.

If you are deciding between selling and trading, the Brown's location helping you can explain both paths before you choose.

The Brown's story

From one Guttenberg franchise to four Iowa locations.

Every location has its own local chapter, but the larger history begins with Dave Brown's first Ford franchise and follows the family's growth into more brands and communities.

1964

The first Brown's Ford store begins

Dave Brown was awarded the Ford franchise in Guttenberg. At that time, he was the youngest person to be awarded a Ford franchise.

1981

The family expands to Elkader

Ford approached Dave Brown about opening a satellite dealership in Elkader, beginning the family's second Ford chapter.

1985-1986

More brands join the Guttenberg store

Brown's purchased Dittmer Dodge from Jack Dittmer in 1985 and added Chrysler and Plymouth franchises in 1986.

1990

General Motors comes to Guttenberg

The Guttenberg dealership was awarded a General Motors franchise, expanding the choices available from the original location.

1993

RV sales begin

Brown's began selling recreational vehicles in Guttenberg, adding another way to serve travelers and outdoor families.

1998

Victory Ford joins the family

Brown's purchased the dealership now known as Victory Ford in Dyersville, continuing the family's Ford growth in eastern Iowa.

2013

Brown's comes to West Branch

Brown's purchased the local Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram dealership from longtime owner Todd Thein, adding a new community to the family.

2016

The Hometown Victory Foundation is created

The Brown's Hometown Victory Foundation was established to extend the family's community commitment beyond the dealership walls.

2021

West Branch Ford joins Brown's

Brown's purchased West Branch Ford from Brad Larson, bringing both Ford and CDJR representation to the West Branch operation.

2023

Pontoon boat sales begin

The Guttenberg operation added South Bay and Trifecta pontoon boats, continuing a local history shaped by vehicles, travel, and life near the river.

2026

The West Branch teams come together

Beginning in September 2026, Brown's West Branch Ford and CDJR serve guests from one shared location at 305 Tidewater Drive.

Explore the Brown's Heritage

Rooted in Iowa communities

The relationships around each store matter beyond the dealership.

Brown's employees and guests often meet again outside the showroom: at schools, local businesses, community events, farms, fundraisers, and the organizations that keep small towns moving.

Local relationships

In a small community, people remember how they were treated, and we expect to see one another again after the purchase or repair is finished.

Celebrating Iowa agriculture

Brown's events such as Beef Month, Dairy Days, and Porktober Fest recognize the agricultural families who support Iowa communities.

Hometown Foundation

The Brown's Hometown Victory Foundation supports people and organizations in the communities Brown's serves.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions about Brown's Family of Dealerships.

Is Brown's Family of Dealerships family-owned?

Yes. Brown's began when Dave Brown received the Ford franchise in Guttenberg in 1964. Forest Brown represents the second generation of family leadership.

Where are Brown's dealerships located?

Brown's has four locations serving Guttenberg, Elkader, Dyersville, and West Branch, Iowa. Use the locations page to find the correct store and current contact information.

What new-vehicle brands does Brown's sell?

Brown's locations represent Ford, Chevrolet, Buick, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram. The group also offers used vehicles from many manufacturers, plus RV and marine inventory through Brown's Guttenberg RV.

Can my local Brown's store help with a vehicle at another Brown's location?

Yes. Tell your local team which vehicle interests you. When it is available and logistics allow, the stores can discuss whether it may be brought closer for you to see. Transfers are not guaranteed.

How do I know which Brown's store to contact?

Choose by community, preferred brand, or service need. The locations page links to each local site, and the group contact page can help route a question when you are unsure.

Can Brown's service a vehicle purchased somewhere else?

Brown's service departments can often help with vehicles purchased elsewhere. Brand, vehicle, repair type, equipment, and technician availability can affect which location is the right fit.

Are the same services available at every Brown's location?

No. Brand certifications, convenience programs, equipment, and scheduling vary by location. Check the local dealership site or call that service department for current availability.

Can I sell a vehicle without buying another one?

Yes. Brown's can review your vehicle without requiring you to purchase a replacement. Start the vehicle-selling process.

Contact Brown's Family of Dealerships

Start with the Brown's location that feels closest to home.

Choose a local store by community or brand, or contact the group when you are not sure where your question belongs. We will help route you to the team that can take the next practical step.

Find a Brown's Location Contact the Group

Call 563-245-2769 Locations and directions

About the Brown's Familiy of Dealerships