A variety of dealer groups — including Sonic Automotive, Group 1 Automotive, the Lou Fusz Automotive Network, Barnes Crossing Auto Group and Ed Morse Automotive Group — have expanded their businesses in recent days. We begin with this roundup with Sonic on Tuesday announcing the continued expansion of the EchoPark Automotive brand via the opening […] [Read More]

Another acquisition announcement surfaced on Tuesday, this time in the training space. NCM Associates said it has acquired Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Spader Business Management and its subsidiary, A World of Training, in a move that was effective on Aug 31. According to a news release, this action furthers NCM’s growth, diversification and client support in […] [Read More]

The auto dealer buy-sell space continues to flourish, but in recent months, it has been the private dealer groups doing the buying, as activity among the publics has slowed. Overall, according to the Q2 2022 Haig Report from Haig Partners LLC, there was a 3% year-over-year spike in … [Read More]

Foundation Automotive Corp., which has stores in both the U.S. and Canada, said Tuesday it has purchased its first Mercedes-Benz dealership, acquiring Mercedes-Benz of Wichita Falls in Texas. This is the group’s ninth store in Wichita Falls, Texas, and 36th overall. Kendrick Jones will be the dealership’s general manager. “Mercedes-Benz is synonymous with excellence and […] [Read More]

Experts likely are just beginning to tally up how many used vehicles dealerships retailed in August. But ADESA chief economist Tom Kontos highlighted how many used vehicles were retailed through July as a part of his latest Kontos Kommentary. Kontos reported that franchised and independent stores combined to retail … [Read More]

Sonic Automotive continued expansion of the EchoPark Automotive brand on Wednesday on its drive toward a nationwide distribution network that is expected to reach 90 percent of the U.S. population by 2025. The newest delivery center is in Tulsa, the second largest city in Oklahoma. According to a news release, the Tulsa delivery center is […] [Read More]

Black Book reported that the wholesale market sales rate now is estimated to be at the lowest level since the beginning of the year. And TrueCar is expecting another slowdown of used-vehicle retail sales, too. On Tuesday, TrueCar projected that used-vehicle sales for August would be .. [Read More]

Group 1 Automotive will start the new year with a new chief executive officer. The retailer said Wednesday that president and CEO Earl Hesterberg will retire from his chief executive post and from the board of directors on Dec. 31. Stepping into the CEO role on Jan. 1 will be Daryl Kenningham. Kenningham, who is […] [Read More]

A dealership group in North Carolina’s Research Triangle region is turning to local car enthusiasts to help with one of the most pressing needs facing auto retailers today: finding employees, especially automotive technicians. Another in the western half of N.C. is moving to state’s biggest city and bringing more jobs along the way. Starting with […] [Read More]

An independent dealership expert is gaining steam with his new consulting firm launched earlier this year. SmartGroups, which launched early this year by dealer educator Justin Osburn, already has multiple groups in place for small stores and for the nation’s largest independent dealers. The latest group, known as Poseidon, will hold its first meeting Oct. […] [Read More]