Group 1 Expands in South Carolina
Group 1 Automotive announced the acquisition of Modern Classic Motors in Hilton Head, SC on March 13.
The acquisition includes three franchises: Mercedes-Benz, Sprinter and Honda in Beaufort County. The acquisition expands Group 1’s relationship with Mercedes-Benz to 17 franchises in the U.S. and U.K. and with Honda to 13 franchises in the U.S. The dealerships are expected to generate $140 million in annual revenues.
“We are delighted to grow our relationship with Mercedes-Benz and Honda while adding scale to our successful Hilton Head operations with these highly desirable brands,” said Group 1′s President and CEO Daryl Kenningham in a press statement.
Fisker Reaches Agreement with New Partners in New York, Florida
Fisker recently signed two new dealer partners in the U.S.—Bul Auto Sales, which plans to open Fisker Albany in New York and Fisker Jacksonville in Florida; and Karma Indy, which intends to open Fisker Indianapolis in Indiana.
The move aligns with Fisker’s strategic shift from direct sales to customers in North America to a Dealer Partnership model. The electric vehicle car maker has now signed 12 dealer partners in the U.S. and Europe and claimed it has received interest from over 250 global dealers since the company announced its strategic shift.
New Hampshire Dealership Sold to Nucar
Carlson’s Motors, a family firm that in 1937 became one of the first car dealerships in Concord, has been bought, by Nucar, a regional company with deep roots in New Hampshire.
Nucar is part of DCD Automotive Holdings, which was founded in 2014 by Dan Dagesse, who started Berlin City Auto Group in Berlin, NH, and his son, Christopher. The Dagesses have 25 operations throughout New England plus one in Delaware, most under the Nucar name.
The three-acre site in Concord can hold about 100 cars, but being part of Nucar means shoppers have access to used cars throughout its network, said Shawn Hanlon, president of the New Hampshire and Vermont operations for Nucar.
“We share used cars between locations, that’s a huge part of our Concord plan. People can shop the website and see 1,800 to 2,000 used cars for sale. If they’re interested in it, they can have us bring the car to Concord,” he said.
Ganley Gains Larger Footprint in Ohio
The Ken Ganley chain of auto dealerships will grow even more by acquiring a luxury vehicle dealer.
Ken Ganley Automotive Group announced that it had purchased Cleveland Motorsports, which owns Aston Martin Cleveland, Bentley Cleveland, Maserati of Cleveland and Rolls-Royce Motorcars Cleveland.
Johnson Automotive Dealership Group Eyeing Miami
A North Carolina car dealer is reportedly driving full speed to Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood with plans for a Kia showroom.
Johnson Automotive Dealership Group paid $25 million for a one acre site at 2121 Biscayne Boulevard. The auto dealer plans to transform the parcel that housed a Staples store into a Kia dealership.
Johnson Automotive Dealership Group has 11 locations in North Carolina, one in Stuart, F:., and another in Annapolis, MD, selling 10 car brands, including Volvo, Porsche, Honda, Maserati and Subaru.
The Smith Group Buys in Western Idaho
The Smith Group, a long-standing Idaho Falls auto dealer, has pushed their footprint into western Idaho.
The Smith Group purchased the Steve’s Hometown dealerships late last year. The Weiser location includes sales of Ford, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram vehicles, as well as used cars.
Longtime dealership owner Steve Dominguez will continue to own and operate dealerships in Ontario and Fruitland. Dominguez owned the Ford and Chrysler dealerships in Weiser for 34 years, first as co-owner and later as sole owner. He said “this was one of the hardest decisions of my life. But I’m 62 now, and I want to spend more time with my family and take some of my workload off my shoulders.”
The dealerships on Highway 95 in Weiser have been rebranded with the Smith Group name.