Car Sales was established by Enterprise in 1962. This business involves selling used cars to both the public and businesses. It is now one of the largest sellers of used cars in the USA.
In 1974 Enterprise purchased Keefe Coffee Company, which later developed as the Centric Group. The 1973 energy crisis had created uncertainty for Enterprise. As fuel became scarce and expensive, many customers swapped large cars for smaller and more economical vehicles. This led to a collapse of sales in the used car market. Enterprise relied on that market to sell on its vehicles. The future of the business was not certain and so Enterprise diversified to buy Keefe. It was hoped that acquiring small, underdeveloped businesses, would generate more opportunities for Enterprise.
In 1977 Enterprise invested in Mexican Inn Chili Products. However, the company had little experience of both the packaged goods industry and the packaged food business. Poor sales and a guaranteed buy-back arrangement with retailers (where unsold goods could be returned) meant that the business did not make a profit. Therefore the company sold the business but learned a lot from the experience.