Gus Machado, Cuban-American Businessman, Dies at 87 in Miami

May 24, 2022

Gus Machado, a Cuban-American businessman, has passed away at the age of 87. Machado was well known for selling automobiles in South Florida through his dealership, Gus Machado Ford, located on West 49th Street in Hialeah.

According to his dealership's website, Gus Machado arrived in the United States from his native Cuba at the age of 15. In 1956, Gus Machado decided to move to Miami. After borrowing $2,000 from his father and $2,000 from personal savings, he invested in a gas station on North Miami Avenue and 17th Street. Little by little, he began to export used vehicles from this location to Cuba.

The business continued to grow until 1960, when the political rift between Cuba and the United States ended commercial transactions between the two countries.

During the following decade, Gus Machado established American Auto Sales, Big Trail Auto Sales, and G.M. Auto Export, exporting General Motors vehicles to Puerto Rico. After much success, Machado purchased Seipp Buick in 1982 and Johnson Ford in 1984, soon becoming the number 1 Ford dealership in Dade County.

There has been an outpouring of support and condolences for his family from the South Florida community following news of his death:

"The passing of Gus Machado has been devastating for us here at St. Thomas University. Monsignor Franklyn Casale created a wonderful relationship, and Gus and Lilliam became one of STU's most important philanthropic supporters with the founding gift for the Gus Machado College of Business building.

Like the Machados, that building is iconic for St. Thomas University. Gus Machado is the epitome of what the American dream is. He was a phenomenal example for our students, and all of South Florida, of what one can accomplish in this country if you are willing to dream and work to make that dream a reality. We love Gus and Lilliam. We pray for the rest of Gus's soul, and we know that his name will live forever at St. Thomas University." - David A. Armstrong, J.D.

— Mario Diaz-Balart (@MarioDB) May 17, 2022
Gus Machado lived the American Dream and helped many in the community achieve theirs. Today we mourn his passing and celebrate the legacy of a family man, successful businessman, and above all, a true-blooded Cuban.