Family focus, hefty benefits, openness, and integrity made four auto and auto-finance firms among the best companies to work for in 2009, according to a ranking in the Feb. 8 issue of Fortune magazine. Here’s the list, along with Fortune’s rationale:

JM Family Enterprises
Rank: 28 (previous rank: 33)
What makes it so great?
The remarkable family vibe at this distributor of Toyota vehicles is a legacy of the founder, Jim Moran, who died in 2007. His birthday, Aug. 8, is now celebrated here as Founder’s Day. At the last one, all employees were invited to a 91¢ lunch (it would have been Moran’s 91st birthday).

USAA
Rank: 45 (previous rank: n/a)
What makes it so great?
Financial group that offers services to the military and their families boasts top-of-the-line benefits such as a 401(k) match of up to 8% of pay and performance bonuses of up to 18% of pay.

Mercedes-Benz USA
Rank: 49 (previous rank: n/a)
What makes it so great?
Sales and marketing arm of the German automaker prides itself on a culture of openness. New blog, MB Community, lets employees share ideas for change.

CarMax
Rank: 56 (Previous rank: 31)
What makes it so great?
An honest used-car seller? Through its policy of no haggling and straight-talking, CarMax has become the nation’s largest seller of pre-owned cars.

What other auto finance companies should be added to the list? Cast a vote for your company in the Comment section below.

Click the links below to read more about each of the auto-related firms in Fortune’s ranking, along with feedback from employees:
JM Family
USAA
Mercedes-Benz USA
CarMax