The biggest blockbuster deal in auto retail this year is now official.

Asbury Automotive Group announced it has completed the acquisition of The Herb Chambers Companies, one of the nation’s largest privately-owned dealership groups.

“Herb redefined the car-buying experience in New England, making Herb Chambers a household name, synonymous with reliability and service,” Asbury president and CEO David Hult said. “The HCC team is well known for its guest-centric focus and community involvement, and we are proud to welcome the team to the Asbury family.”

The total price tag for the 33 dealership locations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island housing 52 franchises, as well as three collision centers, was $1.45 billion, Asbury said. That includes $750 million for goodwill, about $610 million for the real estate and leasehold improvements, and some $85 million for new vehicles, used vehicles, service loaner vehicles, fixed assets, parts and supplies.

The company said the purchase was primarily funded with a combination of credit facility capacity, mortgage proceeds and cash.

The acquisition raises Asbury’s holdings to more than 180 dealerships in 16 states and marks its entry into the Northeast region. The company said its new additions generated $3.2 billion in revenue in 2024 and sold about 50,000 new and used vehicles in 2024.

The deal was first announced in February, when Chambers signed an agreement to sell the stores. As part of that agreement, Asbury said then, Chambers retains ownership of Mercedes-Benz of Boston in Somerville, Mass., and will be a “special advisor” to Asbury.

“Over the past decade, I have been approached by several companies interested in acquiring my organization,” said Chambers, the company’s founder. “Throughout it all, the opportunity and well-being of the Chambers team remained my top priority. Without question, Asbury stood out as the ideal steward. Their leadership — especially under David Hult – is, without a doubt, the best in the industry.”

HGreg donates $5,000 to support victims of Texas floods

HGreg has only been in Texas for a year and a half, but when a disaster hit the state, the dealership group was ready to pitch in.

After the devastating floods that killed more than 100 people in Central Texas, many of them children, HGreg donated $5,000 to the Texas Children’s Central Texas Flood Hope Fund, created by Texas Children’s Hospital to directly assist victims and support emergency response programs.

“As a proud member of the Houston community, HGreg stands in solidarity with those affected by this natural disaster,” the company said in a news release.

HGreg’s Texas connection began in late 2023, when it acquired a site in Houston that soon after opened as HGreg Houston. The Canada-based group operates 35 dealerships in Texas, California, Florida, Maryland and its home province of Quebec.

“Our thoughts are with the families across Central Texas whose lives have been upended by this disaster,” HGreg president and CEO John Hairabedian said. “We are committed to supporting the communities we serve — not just in times of celebration, but especially in moments of hardship.

“We are grateful to Texas Children’s Hospital for launching this critical initiative and for the incredible work they are doing to provide care, comfort and hope to those in need.”

The Texas Children’s Central Texas Flood Hope Fund was created to deliver immediate relief and long-term support for families affected by the floods. Every dollar raised goes directly toward emergency care, essential supplies, mental health resources and recovery services provided through Texas Children’s network of pediatric care.

Casa helps Make-A-Wish El Paso reach 1,000-wish goal

Casa Auto Group’s wish to help make 1,000 wishes come true has been granted.

The dealership group, which operates 13 locations in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, is a Gold Sponsor of Make-A-Wish El Paso’s Drive to 1,000 Wishes campaign, which announced it has reached its goal of making 1,000 wishes come true for children in El Paso, Texas, battling critical illnesses.

Casa, based in El Paso, has partnered with Make-A-Wish for 12 years. This year’s campaign included internal fundraising efforts, community engagement and dealership-driven activations.

The group raised more than $29,000 through employee-led fundraising efforts across its dealerships, and Casa’s owners, the Lowenfield brothers, matched that amount. Casa also donated a new 2024 Ford F150, which it said will be used by Make-A-Wish to raise additional funds and continue granting life-changing wishes for children across the region.

Casa Auto Group sponsored the 2025 Walk for Wishes, covering all registration fees so families and community members could participate at no cost. During the event, the company sponsored the 1,000th wish granted in El Paso, including a special reveal for Colton, whose wish is to visit “Woody Land” — his way of saying Disneyland.

As part of its year-round commitment, Casa hosted its annual Make-A-Wish breakfast in December, honoring 10 children whose wishes to visit Disneyland had been granted.

“We’re more than a dealership network, we’re part of a community committed to making dreams a reality,” Casa president Justin Lowenfield said. “Our employees’ generosity, our commitment to Walk for Wishes and our role in helping sponsor the 1,000th wish highlight what’s possible when we lead with heart for our community.”

In a news release, Casa said its affiliation with Make-A-Wish began with the donation of a pickup truck to help the Rios family travel between Las Cruces, N.M., and El Paso for their son Hugito’s treatments.

Hugito is now 17 and the family has expanded what began a a single food truck into a Mexican restaurant with multiple locations.

“With that legacy in mind,” Lowenfield said, “Make-A-Wish approached us and asked if we’d consider donating another F-150, just like we did for the Rios family, to help grant the 1,000th wish in El Paso. We said yes, and the Drive to 1,000 Wishes was born.”

Casa said its partnership with Make-A-Wish El Paso “reflects its broader mission to serve and uplift the communities it calls home.”

Sonic goes all in on 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

Sonic Automotive’s powersports division is going all in on the 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

The dealership group operates five Harley-Davidson dealerships in the Black Hills of South Dakota, including a new store in the city of Sturgis, home of the historic rally.

The centerpiece of its celebration is the Sturgis Edition Harley-Davidson, which Sonic said is “custom-designed … to honor the spirit of the rally and its riders.” Just 26 of the limited-edition motorcycle were built, and one will be given away to a lucky winner during Rally Week in downtown Sturgis.

The 2025 Low Rider S features an all-black design with orange pinstriping and a rally-inspired paint scheme, paying tribute to the 1991 FXDB Sturgis originally designed by Willie Davidson.

“There’s no better place on earth to give away a bike like this than Sturgis,” Black Hills Harley-Davidson operations and rally manager Mike Maloney said. “This rally means something personal to riders around the world, and now they have a shot at riding home on a piece of history.”

Sonic Powersports has also launched the Ride To Win Challenge, an interactive regionwide route that encourages visitors to explore all five of Sonic’s Harley-Davidson dealerships in the region — in Sturgis, Rapid City, Hill City, Deadwood and Wall.

Participants who visit all five from Aug.1-10 will earn multiple entries into the motorcycle drawing, with additional prizes available for those who complete the full route.

The grand prize winner will be announced following Rally Week at Sturgis Harley-Davidson.

“We’re proud to serve riders who are here for the Sturgis Rally and riding throughout the Black Hills, bringing the Harley-Davidson experience to life at every turn,” Sonic Automotive chairman and CEO David Smith said. “This experience is about creating unforgettable moments for people who live to ride, and for the 85th rally, we plan to do just that.”

The company said it’s honoring the rally’s 85th anniversary with the creation of the Sturgis Founders Club, a program recognizing the first 85 riders who purchase a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle at the dealership during Rally Week.

Membership includes the rider’s name engraved in a plaque in the Sturgis Hall of Fame, a custom-engraved challenge coin and patch, and VIP access to the Sturgis Harley-Davidson Buyers Club at the Sturgis Rally, including private access to a cooled tent, sitting area and food and drink throughout the event.

“The Founders Club celebrates not just the buyers, but their place in Harley-Davidson and Sturgis history,” Smith said. “It’s our way of saying thank you to the riders who define this rally every year.”

Sonic Powersports said it’s turning its entire regional Harley-Davidson footprint into a celebration for the 800,000 riders and enthusiasts expected to participate in or attend the rally, with each dealership featuring rally exclusive commemorative merchandise, including limited-edition challenge coins; on-site demos, meetups and special activations; and entry opportunities for the limited-edition bike giveaway.

Sonic established its powersports division in 2023 with the acquisition of 13 dealerships in South Dakota and Texas, including stores offering the Harley-Davidson, Indian Motorcycle, Polaris, Can-Am, Kawasaki, Suzuki, BMW and Ducati brands.