This week, Walser Automotive Group, one of the largest dealer groups in Minnesota, announced that it has completed the acquisition of Wichita Luxury Collection, a luxury automotive retailer in Wichita, Kan.

Officials highlighted the award-winning Wichita Luxury Collection (WLC) brings 10 luxury brands — including Acura, Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Porsche and AMG — to Walser’s existing 15 franchises.

“The Wichita Luxury Collection offers a unique luxury experience unlike any other in the retail automotive arena,” chief executive officers Paul and Andrew Walser said. “We’re grateful that the city of Wichita has welcomed us.

“All of these outstanding franchises are new to Walser, so we're excited to offer a much greater selection to both our current and future customers,” they continued.

The group indicated Bobby Cuillo will remain as managing partner of Wichita Luxury Collection and will run daily operations, customer, vendor and manufacturer relationships, and will be responsible for growing the luxury collection brand in and outside of Wichita. Cuillo has been with WLC since 2008 and has been crucial to the addition of the Audi, Land Rover, MINI, BMW and AMG franchises.

After more than 50 years at the helm, Vic Scholfield, Tom Devlin and Steve Hatchett — the other partners of WLC — felt it was time to retire.

“We would sincerely like to thank these great automobile franchises for giving us the honor of representing them in the Wichita area,” Hatchett said. “We would also like to thank our thousands of valued customers for their loyalty and our wonderful employees for their dedication and professionalism all these years.

“We wish the Walser organization and our partner Bobby Cuillo the best in the future,” Hatchett added.

Walser believes ownership of Wichita Luxury Collection will allow it to grow and serve the Wichita community in ways never before possible. WLC will remain a locally run, locally operated business, but with the depth and bench of talent of a much larger entity.

"We are very fortunate that all of our manufacturers have embraced Walser and are excited for this next chapter in the history of our exciting growth,” Cuillo said. "This was a natural fit for us, since both Walser Automotive Group and Wichita Luxury Collection have an extraordinary commitment to customer and employee satisfaction.

“Once again, we will raise the bar on a true luxury experience,” he went on to say.