AutoCanada’s exit from the U.S. market moved another step forward this week.

The Edmonton-based dealership group announced it has closed on the sale of Chevrolet of Palatine and Hyundai of Palatine in Palatine, Ill., for $9.3 million Canadian in cash.

The price covered goodwill and fixed assets, excluding inventory and net working capital, AutoCanada said, and the proceeds went to paying down the outstanding balance of the company’s revolving credit facility.

The stores were acquired by Illinois-based Napleton Automotive Group and have been renamed Napleton Palatine Chevrolet and Napleton Palatine Hyundai. Napleton operates some 70 dealerships in seven states.

The dealerships are the latest to be sold by AutoCanada, which in March announced its U.S. operations had been reclassified as discontinued and it planned to divest all 10 of its money-losing American dealership locations, which represent 17 franchises.

In July, the company announced agreements with multiple buyers to sell six of those locations, including the two stores in Palatine, for a total of $82.7 million Canadian. The first of those deals closed three weeks ago, when Crystal Lake Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Crystal Lake, Ill., was acquired by Al Piemonte Auto Group.

The transactions for the other three locations are expected to close before the end of the year. AutoCanada is continuing to seek buyers for the four locations not included in those agreements.

AutoCanada said Chevrolet of Palatine and Hyundai of Palatine generated sales of $107.9 million and recorded a net loss of $4.9 million during the 12 months ending June 30.

Dilawri opens Land Rover North Vancouver

Dilawri has a brand-new showplace.

The company, which bills itself as Canada’s largest automotive group, announced the grand opening of Land Rover North Vancouver in North Vancouver, B.C.

The store, which the company said offers a “bespoke, premium experience” in sales and service, joins Jaguar Land Rover Vancouver as Dilawri’s second Land Rover dealership in the region, representing a “strategic expansion of the brand’s presence in the Lower Mainland.”

The group, based in Toronto operates 84 franchised dealerships in Canada and the U.S.

Dilawri co-founder Ajay Dilawri said the new dealership “brings together modern design, premium features and client-focused amenities that embody the spirit of the Land Rover brand.”

The new facility is built according to JLR’s ARCH retail concept and ARCH Evo enhancements, a design standard featuring “sleek architecture and a cohesive visual identity.” The two-story facility, with an additional level below grade, covers 34,000 square feet, including a 6,550-square-foot client-facing area that features a showroom with capacity for eight Land Rover display vehicles, an interactive special vehicle bespoke personalization studio and consultation area, a dedicated vehicle delivery bay, and a 360-degree reception barista.

Land Rover North Vancouver boasts a client lounge on the main floor and a second-floor lounge that overlooks the showroom, both offering light refreshments and complimentary Wi-Fi. The dealership features open-format and enclosed sales consultation spaces to align with ARCH Evo principles, designed to “create a more inviting and modern retail experience.”

The service shop covers 6,160 square feet with 13 bays, and another 1,400 square feet for parts storage. Public charging for electric vehicles is also available.

“Our entire team is excited to welcome clients to this incredible new space,” general manager Dan Satchell said. “Every detail has been thoughtfully designed to deliver a premium experience, from the bespoke personalization studio in our showroom to the open-format consultation areas and elevated client lounges. We look forward to serving the North Shore and beyond.”

HGreg stores place 14 employees in Nissan Excellence Club

Fourteen employees of HGreg’s Nissan dealerships were selected for the brand’s Excellence Club, the Québec-based dealership group said.

The winners in each category stand out for the excellence of their contribution, exceeding the expectations set by Nissan, the company said. All staff members, including sales managers, advisors and technicians, are eligible.

“This acknowledgment exemplifies the extraordinary dedication of my team,” HGreg Nissan Chomedey managing director Michael Gioia said. “I’m incredibly proud of what they’ve accomplished this past year and even more thrilled that Nissan Canada is acknowledging their efforts through Club Excellence.”

“Less than a year after our grand opening, the work done by our team speaks for itself,” says Jonathan Cameron, Managing Director of HGreg Nissan Blainville. “I’d like to thank each staff member for their contribution and to acknowledge this well-deserved honor.”

François Vaillancourt of HGreg Nissan Chomedey claimed an Excellence Club gold award, while William Harris and Jeannot Dumoulin of HGreg Nissan Saint-Eustache, Jean-Michel Léveillé of HGreg Nissan Blainville and Steve Seansombath of HGreg Nissan Chomedey earned the silver designation.

Nine employees were recognized with the bronze award: Manual Tamzarian, Steve Arpin, James Romanos, Nasrine Nabhan, Cédric Descharreaux and Yoann Constant of HGreg Nissan Vimont; Luis Fernando Garcia Abud and Luc Michaud of HGreg Nissan Chomedey; and Gerardo Masi of HGreg Nissan Saint-Eustache.

“Seeing our efforts recognized fills us with immense pride,” HGreg Nissan Saint-Eustache managing director Jonathan Cameron said. “Thank you to my team for their dedication, and I’m confident that they will continue to excel again this year.”

HGreg Nissan Vimont managing director Guy Filiatrault said the acknowledgment from the Nissan Excellence Club reaffirms the strength of his staff.

“It’s a privilege to work alongside such a capable team,” he said. “I extend my heartfelt congratulations for their exceptional work and unwavering dedication.”