MEDFORD, Ore. -

The nation’s ninth largest auto retailer is now  larger, as the company continued its strategy of seeking exclusive franchises within its markets in announcing the expansion of its store count.  

Lithia Motors on Friday noted its acquisition of Honolulu Buick GMC Cadillac and Honolulu Volkswagen in Honolulu, Hawaii, bringing the company’s store count in that state to three.

The two new stores will add $75 million in estimated annual revenues, company officials said.

"This marks our second acquisition in Hawaii in the last 60 days, bringing the total number of stores in the state to three,” said Bryan DeBoer, president and chief executive officer. “Clustering store locations is important to leverage economies of scale.

“We seek exclusive franchises in the markets we serve and believe operating the only Cadillac store and one of two Buick GMC and Volkswagen stores on the island of Oahu compliments this strategy," DeBoer said.

Lithia Motors sells 28 brands of new vehicles and all brands of used vehicles, at 98 stores in 12 states.