California-based Gosch Toyota Sold
Kerrigan Advisors represented California-based Gosch Auto Group in the sale of Gosch Toyota to Kevin Naderi, general manager of Toyota of Hemet.
Gosch Toyota dealership is located in the Hemet Auto Mall, a high-volume, non-luxury car market in California’s Inland Empire. Gosch Auto Group, a family-run dealership group that currently owns auto dealerships in Hemet and Temecula, was founded in 1964 by Jack Gosch following his 11 years at the Ford Motor Company. He opened Gosch Ford in downtown Hemet just three months after the Ford Mustang was introduced.
Recognizing the potential of the area, Jack joined with six other dealers and the city of Hemet to develop and build the Hemet Auto Mall in the mid-80s, shortly after his sons Eric and Marc joined the family business. Over the years, their team grew to more than 620 employees; collectively they have sold over 400,000 vehicles to local customers and serviced millions of cars.
“After 60 years of doing business in this incredible community, it was important to our family to transition the dealership to the right buyer for our valuable Toyota franchise,” said Marc Gosch, co-owner of Gosch Auto Group. “While it is difficult to part with a dealership that has been a part of our family for decades, we are pleased to continue serving the Hemet community with our Ford, Chevrolet and Hyundai brands.”
Toyota dominates the Inland Empire car market, capturing 24% market share in the non-luxury segment, exceeding California and U.S. averages by 5% and 60%, respectively.
“Toyota is in-demand in virtually every market, especially high-volume ones like the Inland Empire. We see very high buyer demand for the Toyota franchise nationwide, given dealers’ tremendous trust in the brand and the franchise’s high levels of profitability and earnings growth, which are the best in the business,” said Erin Kerrigan, Founder and Managing Director of Kerrigan Advisors. “It was such an honor to work with the Gosch family…to bring this transaction to a successful and beneficial outcome for all involved parties.”
Keeler Automotive Opens Genesis Dealership in Connecticut
Keeler Automotive Holdings is the new owner of Keeler Genesis in Norwalk, CT.
With its Norwalk location, company officials said the New York-based Keeler will be able to better serve its market in Connecticut, including in Darien, Stamford and Greenwich. This is the second Connecticut location for Keeler, which operates BMW of Ridgefield on Route 7.
“As the automotive industry continues to evolve, we’re perfectly positioned to grow our footprint through timely and strategically sound acquisitions and store openings,” said Jesse Hord, CEO of Keeler Automotive Holdings. “We have a clear vision for the future of our business and look forward to serving the automotive needs of our communities for many more years to come.”
Just off Main Avenue, the dealership offers about 80 vehicles available for purchase, a full staff and a service department for the luxury vehicle brand of Hyundai. The dealership will operate out of 10 Tindall Ave. until construction of a new location is finalized.
The company has selected Anthony Puglisi to serve as general manager of the new acquisition.
“For years, I’ve proudly worked across several Keeler Automotive Holdings stores, delivering the outstanding sales experience our customers have come to expect,” Puglisi said. “I’m proud to lead a team of such talented, personable, and knowledgeable people at our store, and I’m excited to bring the exceptional Keeler Brand of sales and service to Genesis customers across Connecticut.”
Keeler operates the Mercedes-Benz Center at Keeler Motor Car Company, Keeler BMW, Keeler Honda, Mercedes-Benz commercial vans, and Keeler MINI in Latham, N.Y.
Louisiana-based Moffitt Automotive Sells Dealership to Family Car Group
Moffitt Automotive, one of the longest-serving family-owned auto retailers in the Shreveport-Bossier City market, recently sold family’s dealership group to Family Car Group, a Toyota and Volkswagen dealer based in Dallas owned by Skip Jabbar.
The sale, which was facilitated by Kerrigan Advisors, includes all four of Moffitt’s import dealerships, Porsche and Audi in Shreveport and Mazda and Volkswagen in Bossier City.
Moffitt Automotive accolades over the last six decades include founder Fred Moffitt being named Louisiana’s TIME Dealer of the Year in 2006, current co-owner Susan Moffitt being named the TIME Dealer of the Year in 2020, Porsche Shreveport ranking as a top 25 premier dealer in 2020 and Audi Shreveport receiving the magna society award in 2022.
“We did not make the decision to sell and pass on our family legacy lightly,” said Susan Moffitt. “After careful thought and consideration, we chose family car group because of their operational excellence, and because they share our values, including a strong commitment to employees and meaningful community involvement.
“We are incredibly proud that our family legacy, started by our father 60 years ago, will continue with the Family Car Group under Jabbar’s leadership. Thank you to our advisor, Kerrigan Advisors, for their support, guidance and for finding us the perfect steward for the future of our dealership group.”
Jabbar said he is “thrilled” to expand the family car group brand into Louisiana and proud to represent Porsche, Audi, Volkswagen and Mazda in a top market like Shreveport.
“The Moffitt family has built an incredible organization that perfectly aligns with ours, and we look forward to welcoming their employees and customers into our family,” he said.
