The Walser Automotive Group has completed what it says it’s the largest acquisition in its history.

The Bloomington, Minn.-based dealer group has wrapped its purchase of fellow Minnesota businesses Freeway Ford, Metropolitan Ford and Suburban Chevrolet, a move that brings close to 300 additional employees into the Walser group.

And the return of Ford to its portfolio.

The Twin Cities-based Grossman family previously owned the three stores.

“It is rare to find this kind of alignment with established dealerships, great teams, and a market we know well,” CEO Andrew Walser said in a news release.

“Bringing them in is a meaningful investment in the Twin Cities and in Walser’s long-term future,” he said.

The addition to the two Ford store’s marks Walser’s first Blue Oval presence in 20 years, while the Suburban expands the group’s Chevy footprint from White Bear Lake into the southwest metro area. The launch of Towns Edge Ford in Hopkins, Minn., in 1968 was one of the group’s earliest franchise acquisitions.

The Walser group now has 35 rooftops and dates back 70 years.

“We have tremendous respect for what the Grossmans and their employees have built,” Walser said. “As a family-owned business ourselves, we understand how much those relationships matter.

“Our goal is to build on that foundation, take care of our employees, and provide the customer experience we are known for.”