As 2025 nears its end, Hudson Automotive Group has pulled off one of the year’s biggest deals.

In fact, the Charleston, S.C.-based dealership group’s acquisition of All Star Automotive Group’s 15 franchises in the Baton Rouge, La., area is the second-largest of the year in the number of franchises involved, according to Kerrigan Advisors, which advised the seller in the transaction.

The sale gives Hudson 12 new locations, including Toyota, Kia, Hyundai, Genesis, Nissan, Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-RAM, Ford-Lincoln and Isuzu stores as well as All Star’s Pre-Owned Super Center. The dealerships — all within a 10-mile radius — combine for 17% of new vehicle sales in the market, Kerrigan said.

In a news release, Kerrigan said Hudson Automotive generated $5.1 billion in revenue in 2024 and now operates 56 dealership locations and a collision center in seven states.

“To be able to enter a high-growth Southeast market like Baton Rouge with turnkey dealerships representing some of the industry’s strongest brands and a legacy like All Star is rare.” Hudson Automotive CEO David Hudson said. “We look forward to honoring All Star’s legacy, serving the Baton Rouge community, and continuing the tradition of excellence that has defined these dealerships for decades.”

Hudson added his company is “deeply grateful to the McKay family for entrusting us with the stewardship of their remarkable organization,” including “700 new employees and an exceptional customer base.”

Matt McKay, who founded All Star in 1987, said the sale was “an important and emotional transaction for our family. … Hudson Automotive is a well-established, highly respected organization and we have no doubt that our employees, customers and community will benefit from their commitment to excellence. We are profoundly grateful to the Baton Rouge community and to our incredible team members who built All Star into what it is today.”

McKay’s legacy in Louisiana’s capital includes his partnership with Baton Rouge Community College on the McKay Automotive Technology Center, a $51 million public-private workforce training facility designed to expand career opportunities for students throughout the region.

“Baton Rouge has provided so much to our family over the past four decades that giving back to this community — from supporting local nonprofits to investing in workforce training through the McKay Automotive Technology Center — has been one of the most meaningful parts of our journey,” he said. We are pleased to have found a buyer like Hudson that shares that core value of community involvement and enrichment.”

Kerrigan Advisors said the sale pushed its total client proceeds generated since past the $10 billion mark.

CarMax comes to Arkansas

CarMax, which bills itself as the nation’s largest used-car retailer, has added a new state to its footprint.

The company opened its newest location in Rogers, Ark., its first in the state. In a news release, CarMax said the 11,500-square foot dealership has the capacity to stock about 500 vehicles.

CarMax now operates 255 stores in 42 states.

“The growth in the region is tremendous, and we’re excited to be a part of it,” Rogers CarMax general manager Bradley McMahon said. “When selecting a new location, CarMax looks for a strong workforce and community support — and we’ve found both here in Rogers.”

The company said its commitment to helping communities thrive and making a positive social impact will continue in its new location. With the store now open, CarMax will explore ways to give back to the Rogers community in the coming months.

“CarMax associates dedicate their time and talents to meaningful causes important to them,” McMahon said. “Giving back to our community is important to us because it’s the right thing to do and because we know CarMax’s success is inextricably linked to the well-being and resilience of our communities.”

Sewell’s new location is Boerne

Sewell Automotive Companies has acquired Land Rover Boerne in Boerne, Texas, from Shottenkirk Automotive Group, according to The Presidio Group, which represented the buyer in the transaction.

Sewell president Jacquelin Sewell said the deal gives the company its third dealership in the San Antonio market. The new acquisition is the second Land Rover store among Sewell’s 21 dealership locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio and Austin markets.

The company, founded in 1911, specializes in luxury brands, including Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Lexus, Cadillac, INFINITI and Land Rover, among others.

Shottenkirk president Greg Shottenkirk said the sale of Land Rover Boerne — now rebranded as Sewell Land Rover Boerne — was “a strategic decision as we focus on other priorities within our portfolio. We are proud of what our team has accomplished in Boerne and confident the store and its employees have a great future with the Sewell organization.”

Iowa dealership changes hands

Johnson Automotive Group has acquired Karl Ford of Story City in Story City, Iowa, from Bret Moyer of Karl Auto Group, Performance Brokerage Services said in a news release.’

Johnson Automotive is led by founder Casey Johnson, who began the company with a small Ford dealership in 1996, and his sons Matt and Nick Johnson. The group also operates Ames Ford Lincoln and Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota, also in Iowa, earning the President’s Award from Ford Motor Company and Toyota Motor Corporation.

Karl Ford of Story City has been renamed Story City Ford.

Karl Auto Group’s late founder, Carl Moyer, acquired the Story City dealership in 2021 from the Gookin family. The company, which began when Moyer opened Karl Chevrolet in Ankeny, Iowa in 1978 with a one-car showroom, currently operates Chevrolet, GMC and Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM locations in Ankeny, Marshalltown, Stuart and Webster City, Iowa.

Moyer’s son Bret now leads Karl Auto Group.