Martin Kia Joins the Don Franklin Auto Group Family
Martin Kia in Bowling Green, Kentucky has officially been acquired by Don Franklin Auto Group in a deal brokered by Performance Brokerage Services.
Founded in 1985 by Cornelius A. Martin, Martin Management Group began its journey with the purchase of Martin Oldsmobile Cadillac. Cornelius, originally from Greenville, Kentucky, nurtured his love for the industry from a young age, progressing from lot technician to general manager. After graduating from the General Motors Dealer Academy in Flint, Michigan, he added a Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep dealership to the business.
Over decades, Martin Management Group expanded its horizons, incorporating six Saturn dealerships and even venturing into the motorcycle industry with Harley-Davidson Bowling Green. After the passing of its founder, the company leadership transitioned smoothly to the second generation, with Cornelius’ wife, Gail Martin, assuming the role of CEO, and their eldest son, Chadwick, becoming President.
The Don Franklin Auto Group story began in 1968 with Don Franklin, a dedicated self-taught mechanic from Columbia, Kentucky. Through relentless effort and a focus on family values, Don, along with his family, transformed their business into a sprawling network of over 25 dealerships across Kentucky.
Now rebranded as Don Franklin Bowling Green Kia, the dealership will continue to operate from its existing location at 2211 Scottsville Road.
Ocean Honda Acquired by Jerry Seiner Auto Group
Ocean Honda of San Juan Capistrano has been acquired by the Jerry Seiner Auto Group in a deal orchestrated by Pinnacle Mergers & Acquisitions.
The acquisition of the San Juan Capistrano location represents Jerry Seiner Auto Group’s inaugural venture into California’s automotive market, as well as its first foray into operating a Honda dealership. This move is a testament to the group’s ambitious expansion strategy and dedication to diversifying its dealership portfolio.
“We are thrilled to partner with Honda and excited about this opportunity,” said Chris Hemmersmeier, CEO of Jerry Seiner Dealerships. “I appreciated the chance to work on this transaction with the Victory Automotive Group and the Pinnacle Team.”
Pinnacle represented Victory Automotive Group, the previous owner of the Honda store. The deal was part of a longstanding professional relationship, marking the 15th successful transaction Pinnacle has managed for Victory Automotive Group.
“This was a strategic sale as we acquired two Honda stores in Indiana that we feel are a better fit for our company as we continue to grow,” said Jeffrey Cappo, CEO of Victory Automotive. “Chris was a gentleman to deal with through this process.”
The dealership will now operate under the name of Jerry Seiner Honda.
A New Era for Phillips Hyundai of Bradley: Patriot Motors Takes the Helm
Phillips Hyundai of Bradley, located in Bourbonnais, Illinois, has been sold to Patriot Motors in a deal brokered by Performance Brokerage Services. The transition is part of Curtis Pascarella’s strategic focus on the Chevrolet brand, as Phillips Auto Group continues to operate its Chevrolet locations and Phillips RV in Illinois.
Founded in 1968 by Phillip Pascarella, Phillips Auto Group began its journey with the acquisition of a Chevrolet dealership in Frankfort, Illinois. With a vision for growth, the operations were later handed over to his son, Curtis Pascarella, in 1994. Under Curtis’s leadership, Phillips Auto Group expanded significantly, opening Phillips Chevrolet of Lansing in 2013 and Phillips Hyundai of Bradley in 2017. The legacy of the Pascarella family is marked by the transformation from a modest two-car showroom to a sprawling network employing over 300 people across Illinois.
Led by President Shawn Kohli, Patriot Motors is a family-owned enterprise with a significant presence across Illinois, Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The company’s portfolio of brands includes industry giants such as Toyota, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, and more.
As part of this acquisition, Phillips Hyundai of Bradley will be rebranded as Patriot Hyundai of Bradley. The operations will be relocated to William R Latham Senior Drive in Bourbonnais, Illinois.
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