Renson Automotive

Eric Murguia: An Automotive Destiny

By Matt Solis, Editor

Even from a young age, Eric Murguia seemed destined for a career in the automotive industry. “I’ve been into cars my entire life, basically since I was a toddler,” he confirms. “My father had muscle cars and I was always attracted to the automobile scene. When I was in high school, I got my driver’s license and my first job at Kragen Auto Parts around the same time, so my interest in cars just continued to grow from there.”

With his lifelong passion for vehicles and hands-on experience, Eric knew he had a recipe for success, so after he graduated high school in the early 2000s, his first move was opening a used car dealership in San Jose. “That gave me even more insight into the industry,” he says. “We closed the business during the 2008 recession, but I went to work for a Toyota dealership soon after. Eventually, I moved on to a Mercedes-Benz dealership before finally landing at Jaguar Land Rover for many years. I started as a parts guy and moved up to the service facility, where I helped educate customers about vehicle maintenance.”

Eric never expected to leave Jaguar Land Rover, but when he was presented with an opportunity to purchase Renson Automotive in 2022, he knew it was time to take the next step in his career. “It’s funny, Bill [Faulconer, previous owner] and I never ran into each other before this transaction, but after working alongside him for a bit, I learned we have a lot in common,” he says. “Working with the Renson team is great because it doesn’t feel like work—it’s just a group of guys who are dedicated to doing the right thing. I didn’t come into this company to redesign it. It already had a great clientele base and business plan, so my goal is to keep things moving smoothly, stay available to my employees and make sure our customers get what they need.”

A resident of San Jose, Eric spends most of his free time with his wife, Teresa, and their two daughters. “My wife and I like going on dinner dates and trying new types of food, and we also enjoy going on trips with the girls,” he details. “We recently went camping and it was a cool experience because I saw my kids subliminally learning about nature while simply walking on trails or relaxing at the river. We love doing things like that because we get to grow and make memories together.”

In his life and career, Eric emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity. “I believe a lot of opportunities will open up for you if you’re a trustworthy person,” he offers. “That’s something I learned over the years from my parents and grandparents, and it was very apparent when my wife and I started the process of buying this company. Bill is good at reading people, and he knew he could trust us to maintain what he built.”

When asked what his life might look like if he retired tomorrow, Eric says he’d start by grabbing a suitcase and heading out for a family adventure. “We’ve done some traveling with the kids, but we definitely want to do more as they get older. It’s always good to get out of your comfort zone, try new spots and experience different cultures.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: Are you a dog person or a cat person?

A: A dog person, but I’m an animal lover in general.


Q: What was your first pet?


A: A white retriever named Loba.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

A: Dubai. That place is so developed with cool structural stuff and different types of food, but at the same time, it’s surrounded by desert and water. I would love to explore the city and then take an off-road vehicle into the sand dunes.

Q: What’s your favorite Bay Area winery?


A: I like all California wineries. We always have Cabernet Sauvignon at our house.

Q: Do you collect anything?

A: I have a collection of old trucks. God forbid I spot a cheap truck while I’m driving around—I might have to do a U-turn and sleep in the garage for the night!