COCOA, Fla. — May 19, 2026 — The Presidio Group LLC (“Presidio”), an independent merchant banking firm focused on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising and investments in the automotive retail and consumer mobility sectors, exclusively advised Jackson Automotive Group (“Jackson”) on the sale of Jackson Kia in Cocoa, Fla., and its related real estate, to Jenkins Auto Group (“Jenkins”). The transaction closed May 18.
The sale represents a strategic divestiture by Jackson Automotive Group while it remains committed to Kia and open to future opportunities to represent the brand.
“Our commitment to Kia remains strong, and we look forward to partnering with the brand again when the right opportunity comes along,” said Jim Jackson III, president of Jackson Automotive Group. “This transaction allows our terrific team in Cocoa to move forward with a buyer who will take care of the people, customers and community we’ve been proud to serve. The expert advice we received from Presidio’s team was instrumental; we thank them for their top‑notch execution in shepherding this deal every step of the way.”
The acquisition furthers Jenkins Auto Group’s growth strategy in Florida, building on its recent acquisition of a nearby Honda dealership as it expands its reach along the eastern coastline of central Florida.
“Acquisitions offering this combination of brand, location and growth potential are rare,” said Don Jenkins, principal of Jenkins Auto Group, based in Ocala, Fla. “Adding Jackson Kia in Cocoa is a natural next step for our expanding group and deepens our commitment to customers on Florida’s Space Coast. We appreciate the trust placed in us by Jackson Automotive Group and The Presidio Group.”
The transaction reflects how leading dealership groups are actively managing their portfolios around high-quality assets in attractive markets.
“We’re grateful to Jackson Automotive Group for trusting Presidio to guide this process and help it achieve its objectives,” said Alex Watterson, managing director at The Presidio Group. “Jackson Automotive is a growing company with next-generation leadership paving a new path in automotive retail.”
Like both buyer and seller in this transaction, dealership groups across the U.S. are increasingly using portfolio‑management strategies to refine their footprints and drive performance gains.
“Jackson Automotive Group is practicing tried-and-true portfolio management by realigning its footprint around its core Georgia markets while staying open to a brand it strongly believes in,” said George Karolis, president of The Presidio Group. “Strong assets in attractive markets are moving quickly, as we’ve seen in all seven Presidio-advised transactions so far in 2026, and we expect the fast-paced and competitive deal environment for such assets to continue through the rest of the year.”
Seller legal counsel was provided by Jeff Roberts and Emily Dillow of Underwood & Roberts PLLC. Buyer legal counsel was provided by Mark Ornstein, vice president and general counsel of Jenkins Auto Group.
The Presidio Group provided exclusive M&A advisory services to Jackson Automotive Group through its wholly owned investment bank, Presidio Merchant Partners LLC.
About Jackson Automotive Group
Founded in 1955, Jackson Automotive Group is a premier, family‑owned automotive retailer dedicated to providing a world‑class ownership experience for drivers throughout the Southeast. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the group operates four dealerships in central Georgia representing Mercedes‑Benz, Subaru, Volkswagen and Volvo. Jackson Automotive Group offers a full suite of automotive services, from new- and used-vehicle sales to certified service and genuine automaker parts. For more information, visit www.jacksonautomotive.com.
About The Presidio Group LLC
The Presidio Group was founded in 1998 with the simple mission to relentlessly put the interests of its clients first. By steadfastly adhering to this philosophy, the firm has earned the trust of clients throughout the United States. During their careers, the professionals at Presidio have collectively closed more than 315 transactions for over $20.5 billion. The Presidio Group, based in Denver and Atlanta, publishes research, industry insights and data reports about the automotive retail landscape through its Presidio Perspectives arm. Presidio Merchant Partners LLC is a subsidiary of The Presidio Group LLC and is a member of FINRA and SIPC. For more information on Presidio, visit www.thepresidiogroup.com.