AutoNation is investing in the future.

Including the future careers and success of the next generation.

The retailer welcomed teens from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County to its headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. for an interactive Career Day.

The event was designed to introduce these young folks to various career paths and help prepare them for success.

AutoNation interns held panel discussions and conducted Q&As, sharing their own experiences, offering guidance on high school, life after graduation, career-planning and career exploration.

The Boys & Girls Clubs teens also met with AutoNation associates to learn about different career paths.

“We believe that investing in the next generation is part of how we build stronger communities,” AutoNation chief human resources officer Linde Grindle said in a news release. “Career Day brought together our interns and local teens to share experiences, explore future career possibilities and build meaningful connections.

“By creating mentorship opportunities, we hope to help local teens gain confidence, broaden their perspective and see the many paths that are available to them as they prepare for the future.”

The event is part of Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County’s Workforce Development Initiative, which aims to help teens prepare for their first jobs and think about long-term career goals.

“Through our partnership with AutoNation and the support of their interns, Career Day becomes more than an event; it becomes a moment of connection and possibility for our young people at Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County,” said Dr. Nicole Melendez, vice president of strategy at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County.

“Watching our teens engage directly with interns who are actively navigating their own career journeys helps them see what’s achievable, ask meaningful questions and begin to envision their own paths forward.”

Another jewel added to Crown

Elsewhere in the dealer group world, Crown Auto Group has purchased its first Subaru and Volkswagen stores.

The group, which now has 11 stores throughout Pennsylvania and West Virginia, bought Wheeling Subaru Volkswagen in Wheeling, W.Va., according to a news release from Tim Lamb Group, which represented the seller, David Weaver.

Weaver has retired after 39 years of ownership.

“After 39 years of owning Wheeling Subaru Volkswagen, deciding to sell wasn’t easy, but Blair Sharpe of Tim Lamb Group made the entire process effortless. From the very first conversation about preparing the dealership for sale, through listing, buyer negotiations, and closing on June 24, Blair was thorough, responsive, and genuinely listened to what mattered most to me,” Weaver said in a news release.

“Blair found the right buyer, secured a sale price that exceeded my expectations, and guided me through every step with professionalism and care. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner in this transition, and I recommend him without hesitation to any dealer considering a sale.”

Sharpe, a director at Tim Lamb Group, added: “David spent nearly four decades building a dealership that reflected his values and finding a buyer who would honor that legacy was a top priority throughout this process.

“Crown Auto Group demonstrated a genuine commitment to preserving the dealership’s culture while investing in its future. We’re proud to have represented David in this milestone transaction and wish both him and Crown Auto continued success.”

Crown Auto was founded in 2016 and the family-owned group employs more than 600 team members.

Chief operating officer Kolten Saunders said in the release, “David Weaver built an outstanding dealership with a loyal customer base, a talented team, and an excellent reputation throughout the region. We are honored that he entrusted Crown Auto Group to carry that legacy forward.

“Wheeling is an attractive market for us because of its proximity to Pittsburgh and our existing operations in Washington, Pennsylvania. We look forward to investing in the facility, supporting the local community, and continuing to provide the exceptional customer experience that has defined this dealership for decades.”

Ed Morse adds first Mercedes store, first Montana location

DMN Auto Holdings, LLC – which is owned by WeatherTech founder, president and CEO David MacNeil – has sold Mercedes-Benz of Billings in Montana to Ed Morse Automotive Group, according to a news release from the Tim Lamb Group, which advised the seller.

This is not only the first Mercedes-Benz store for Ed Morse, but the group’s first dealership in Montana.

“Partnering with Mike McMeeken and the Tim Lamb Group on our Mercedes-Benz dealership acquisition was an exceptional experience,” Ed Morse COO Randy Hoffman said. “Their deep industry expertise, seamless communication, and unwavering professionalism turned a complex transaction into a smooth, successful transition. We couldn’t have asked for a better automotive brokerage experience.”

Chairman and CEO Teddy Morse added: “Special thanks to Mike McMeeken and his Tim Lamb Group team for bringing us this opportunity. Our group really enjoyed working with them and closing this deal.”

MacNeil, the seller, added: “I could not have made a better choice. On a scale of five stars, the Tim Lamb Group earned 10 stars. Mike and Jay handled every step of the process with professionalism, integrity, and transparency, making it easy for both myself and the Ed Morse Automotive team. The transaction never wavered and closed seamlessly.”