This roundup of dealer news includes one group rolling out an online retail platform fueled by Cox Automotive’s technology, while another group is growing its footprint near the nation’s capital.

Beginning on the acquisition front, Graham Holdings Co., announced on Wednesday that it has acquired a Toyota dealership and a Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram dealership in Woodbridge, Va., from the Lustine Automotive Group.

According to a news release from Graham Holdings, the purchase price was not disclosed.

The announcement indicated Christopher Ourisman, a member of the Ourisman Automotive Group family of dealerships, and his team will operate and manage the dealerships. Graham Holdings holds a 90% stake in the stores.

The company also owns four other dealerships, including:

—Ourisman Lexus of Rockville
—Ourisman Honda of Tysons Corner
—Ourisman Jeep Bethesda
—Ourisman Ford of Manassas

According to a news release from Haig Partners, which served as the exclusive sell-side advisor, Graham Holdings is a diversified holding company headquartered in Arlington, Va. It was formerly the owner of the Washington Post newspaper and Newsweek magazine.

Graham Holdings now invests in a variety of industries, including dealerships.

“We thank the Lustine Family for giving us the opportunity to represent them on the sale of their dealerships to the Graham Ourisman partnership,” Haig Partners president Alan Haig said in the news release. “Mr. Burton Lustine built two highly profitable dealerships and has been a fixture in the D.C. Metro auto retail business for decades before passing away late last year.

“And we send our congratulations to Chris Ourisman and the Graham Holdings team on this acquisition that will grow their group in the D.C. metropolitan area, one of the best car markets in the country,” Haig continued. “We like this partnership between knowledgeable operators that have the support of the OEMs with investment firms that are looking for attractive returns on the capital they are putting to work.

“Toyota and Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram dealerships are performing particularly well over the past year given their ability to produce and deliver attractive products to dealers, and that they remain committed to the traditional franchise system,” Haig went on to say after being involved in the purchase or sale of 15 dealerships in Virginia.

Haig Partners has advised on the sale of 29 dealerships nationwide so far in 2022.

Mike Charapp and Barrie Charapp Beaty of Mahdavi Bacon Halfhill & Young provided legal counsel to Lustine Automotive Group.

Details of WylerComplete, powered by Esntial

In April, the Jeff Wyler Automotive Family completed its first vehicle sale transaction using cryptocurrency, as the dealer group sold a certified pre-owned 2021 Mercedes-Benz S580 to a buyer in Saudi Arabia.

Whether it’s with cryptocurrency, cash or traditional financing, the group is looking to leverage technology even more to retail used vehicles. On Wednesday, Jeff Wyler announced the launch of WylerComplete, a 100% online vehicle buying experience for pre-owned vehicles.

WylerComplete is designed to allows customers to go through the entire car buying process online — from the initial search and financing to remote signing and scheduling delivery — in less than 15 minutes. 

WylerComplete shoppers can look forward to the following benefits:

• Wide selection of quality pre-owned vehicles

• Transparent pricing

• Scheduled delivery

• Opportunities with Kelley Blue Book Instant Cash Offer (ICO) 

• Aftermarket product and insurance offerings specific to each customer

• Safe and secure deal completion, signing of paperwork and online payments

WylerComplete leverages Cox Automotive’s Esntial Commerce technology, which guides consumers through the online buying process.

“Unlike some of the other online car buying sites, Wyler is locally owned and has been doing business in the Cincinnati market since 1973,” said David Wyler, president of Jeff Wyler Automotive Family. “With the launch of Wyler Complete we can expand our reach in the market and offer the convenience of a fully online shopping experience with the benefit of being able to call our highly knowledgeable sales team or come into our dealership at any point along the way.

“At Wyler, we are always here for our customers before, during and after the purchase of their vehicle to make sure they are completely satisfied,” added Wyler, who serves customers predominantly from Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.