A year that began slowly in the dealership buy/sell market ended with a flurry of activity.

Six M&A transactions involving 15 dealerships in five states were announced in the final two weeks of 2025, part of a busy fourth quarter that George Karolis, president of dealership advisory firm The Presidio Group said is an indicator of more to come in the new year.

“Overall deal activity is robust, and we expect that to continue into next year,” he said, noting the December transactions highlight “the ongoing opportunities in the automotive retail sector for both buyers and sellers. With transaction volume looking strong as we head into 2026, we anticipate continued momentum for our clients to expand or realign their dealership portfolios.”

The holiday buying spree also included acquisitions by Canada-based Go Auto in Washington and California, as well as deals involving 2Autogroup, Nick Saban’s Dream Motor Group, Penske and Hudson Automotive, among others.

Karolis’ Presidio served as an advisor in three of the six most recent transactions, including Five Star Automotive’s sale of five stores in Middle Georgia to ALM Automotive Group.

ALM acquired Genesis of Macon, Five Star Hyundai Macon, Five Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Macon and Five Star Mazda in Macon, and Five Star Hyundai Warner Robins in nearby Warner Robins, raising ALM’s total to 24 locations in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.

“The Macon and Warner Robins markets fit perfectly into ALM’s footprint,” ALM CEO Khush Bhatia said, “and adding more franchised new-vehicle dealerships is a strategic growth play for ALM me.”

Five Star vice president and operating partner Wes Pope said the dealerships were sold to help maximize the group’s long-term potential in other markets. Five Star operates 32 dealerships in six states, including six locations in Middle Georgia, four of those in Warner Robins.

“This sale allows us to diversify further and continue strengthening our position across regions while still serving Middle Georgia with several great stores,” Pope said. “It’s a strategic move for our group to maintain a balanced portfolio with an eye toward growth.”

Presidio also worked with the sellers in Imperial Cars’ acquisition of Patriot Subaru of North Attleboro. Mass., from Patriot Automotive Group and Hartz Automotive’s sale of its ownership interest in three Penske dealerships in Southern California — Penske Buick-GMC of Cerritos, Penske Chevrolet of Cerritos and Penske Cadillac Buick GMC of South Bay in Torrance, Calif. — to Franchise Equity Partners.

Imperial Cars operates five dealerships in Massachusetts. Patriot Automotive owner Adam Arens continues to operate Subaru and Acura stores in Maine.

ZT Automotive adds four Florida stores

ZT Automotive, owned by the Badar Family Office and managed by ZT Corporate, has acquired four locations in the Tampa Bay area from longtime dealer David Maus of Maus Family Automotive, according to the Dave Cantin Group, which represented the buyer in the transaction.

In a news release, DCG said the addition of Maus Acura|North Tampa, Maus Nissan|North Tampa, Maus Nissan|New Port Richey and Maus Nissan|Brooksville is part of ZT’s targeted national growth strategy, doubling its presence in Florida and bringing a new major market into its footprint.

ZT now operates 16 locations in Florida, Texas, Georgia and Alabama.

Andy Mohr Automotive enters Chicago market

Indianapolis-based Andy Mohr Automotive Group has acquired Arlington Toyota in Palatine, Ill., from the Vicari family, a deal announced by Kerrigan Advisors, which advised the seller.

The addition marks Andy Mohr Automotive’s entry into the Chicago market. The group owns 12 dealerships, four collision centers a truck center in Indiana.

The dealership, founded by Tony Vicari in 1983 and operated by his children Scott, Gary and Tracey Vicari, ranks among the highest-volume Toyota dealerships in the Chicago metro area, Kerrigan said, and has earned Toyota’s Financial Services Ambassador Award and Customer Relations Award for Management Excellence.

“Our family has deep roots in this community, so it was very important to us that our dealership be in good hands with a new owner,” Gary Vicari said. “We found that in Andy Mohr, another family-owned dealer group that shares similar values to us.”

Marine acquires second dealership in Orlando

A former bartender-turned car dealer has purchased his second dealership.

U.S. Marine, owner of Sutherlin Nissan of Orlando, has acquired Sport Mitsubishi in Orlando, Fla., from Don Mealey Sport Auto Group, according to Performance Brokerage Services, which brokered the deal.

Marine’s automotive career began when he was tending bar at a restaurant and employees of a car dealership, impressed by his outgoing personality, recruited him to join their team. He was soon a star salesperson and became a general manager before turning 30.

He became a part owner of several Sutherlin Nissan dealerships and two years ago bought out his partner to become sole owner of the Orlando store. His latest purchase marks the beginning of Marine Automotive Group.

Don Mealey Sport Auto Group is a third-generation, family-owned and operated business based in Central Florida, founded in 1974 when Don Mealey purchased a Chevrolet dealership in Orlando. The business has since expanded to six locations.