Centennial Imports: A Legacy in Motion

When you buy a car, you’re not just investing in a machine that gets you from point A to point B—you’re placing your trust in the product and in the people behind the dealership. Having an enjoyable total ownership experience isn’t only about the car—it’s also about how well the dealer and staff take care of their customers.

For nearly four decades, thousands of people across the Gulf Coast have put their trust in Centennial Imports of Pensacola. Known for their premium Mercedes-Benz and Volvo vehicles, the dealership has built its reputation not only on these luxury brands but also on a deep belief in strong customer service, family values, and the steady leadership of owners John W. “Jock” Mobley IV and his son, John W. Mobley V (John the Fifth). It’s a legacy in continuous motion—one built on honesty, hard work, long-term relationships, and a shared belief that business is about putting people first.

From Thomasville to Pensacola

Jock’s journey to Pensacola wasn’t the straight line one might expect for a dealership owner. Born in Thomasville, Georgia, he graduated from Valdosta State University, served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, and began his career in the life insurance business. But he soon realized his passion lay elsewhere. “People don’t really want to talk about insurance,” he laughs. “But fancy luxury cars? That’s something people can get excited about!” His auto sales career began selling Toyotas and Chryslers in Thomasville, then led him to Fort Walton Beach in the early 1980s, where he sold his first Mercedes-Benz and quickly became one of the top Mercedes-Benz salesmen in Northwest Florida. Always a student and focused on continuous improvement, Jock earned his first management opportunity in 1985 when he became a Sales Manager at Centennial Imports. Working his way through multiple levels of dealership management, he was given the ultimate challenge in 1990: becoming the President and Dealer Principal of the entire dealership.

Within the next few years, he became a Managing Partner, affiliated with an investment group from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, which helped him achieve his ultimate goal—becoming the dealership’s owner in 2011. “It’s been an amazing and fulfilling journey,” he reflects. “Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of working with many incredible, dedicated employees and serving generations of wonderful clients and families across Northwest Florida.”

A Son Grows Up in the Business

If Jock’s story is one of perseverance, his son John’s is one of total immersion. Born in Pensacola, John quite literally grew up in and around the dealership. He started working at age 15 cleaning the service shop, taking out trash, and doing the dirty work. “I told our service manager, Roger, not to coddle him—make him work hard and bust his butt! I didn’t want him to get off easy as the ‘owner’s son,’” Jock recalls. “I wanted him to learn the business from the ground up.”

And learn it he did. By the time he was in high school, John had taken a series of old computers and built them into a functioning system, teaching himself to become the company’s unofficial IT person—before the term was even common. Today, as Vice President and COO, John serves as Centennial’s in-house IT manager and is also a skilled automotive technician capable of removing an engine himself. Now, he’s facing his biggest challenge yet: learning to lead and manage a team of more than 60 employees. “I’m a very proud dad,” Jock says, “to have heard many of our employees say that John’s among the hardest-working people we have. No doubt he’s smarter than I am in so many ways,” he adds with a chuckle. “I tell people that, day-to-day, he’s probably more valuable to the dealership’s operation than I am!”

A Legacy of Loyalty and Respect

What sets Centennial Imports apart isn’t just its world-class vehicles—it’s the amazing employees who stand behind them. “It’s truly an honor for me to have so many wonderful, dedicated employees,” Jock says, “many of whom have been with our company for decades.” He adds, “We always treat our employees with respect and strive to maintain an enjoyable and stimulating work environment.”'

One example of this commitment is a Mercedes-Benz technician who retired last year after more than 40 years with the company. “As I look at our staff, I don’t just see 60 employees,” Jock says. “I see 60 families. The decisions we make as a business affect them and their futures. We always strive to provide the best work environment possible, based on respect and fairness.” These values naturally extend to customers as well. “We don’t look at it as selling you one car and never seeing you again,” Jock explains. “We want a lifelong relationship where customers keep coming back.” That approach clearly works—many Centennial customers are now third-generation buyers, with parents, children, and even grandchildren returning to purchase their vehicles. “It’s not just a slogan,” Jock emphasizes. “It’s our reality, shaped by our philosophy and reflected in our everyday interactions.”

And if something goes wrong, Centennial stands behind its customers. “Today’s vehicles are extremely complex machines,” Jock says. “We didn’t build the car, but if it has problems, we’ll do our very best to make it right for you.”

Looking Ahead

While Jock still enjoys the auto business and has no plans to retire soon, he takes comfort in knowing that John is learning the “big picture” and preparing to carry on the family business. Coincidentally, at 36, John is the same age Jock was when he first took over running the company. As John’s leadership role continues to evolve, he’s learning that running a dealership isn’t just about “machines and nuts and bolts,” Jock says. “It’s about managing people, navigating changes with manufacturers, handling government regulations, and thriving in an ever-changing business environment.”

In the end, it’s all about learning how to evolve and adapt without losing sight of the core beliefs that define Centennial Imports— integrity, respect, and loyalty. That focus and trust in people form the foundation of Centennial Imports’ legacy on the Gulf Coast. From the many employees who’ve built their careers there, to the loyal customers who return again and again, to a father and son who share both a bond and a business—the story of Centennial Imports is one of family in every sense of the word. And for Jock and John Mobley, that’s something worth driving forward.