Germain Motor Company is off to the races in the home of the Kentucky Derby.

The Ohio-based dealership group has acquired Blue Grass Motorsport, a luxury car mega-dealership in Louisville, Ky., from brothers Andy and Mike Vine and their brother-in-law, Jim Haynes, according to Kerrigan Advisors, which represented the sellers in the transaction.

The location includes Porsche, Audi and Jaguar Land Rover dealerships on an 8.64-acre site. The Porsche and JLR franchises are the only retailers of their brand in Kentucky. Kerrigan said the stores have combined for 16 Porsche Premier Dealer awards, nine Audi Magna Society awards, three Land Rover Pinnacle Club awards and two Jaguar Pride awards.

Germain is a fourth-generation family-owned business that operates 28 locations in six states, led by chairman Steve Germain and his children Zach, Jessica and Austin Germain. The company was founded in 1947 by Warren Germain, a personal accountant to Henry Ford.

“My family is very excited to continue our relationship with these exceptional brands in this incredible market, CEO Zach Germain said. “We look forward to working with the amazing Blue Grass associates and taking care of their loyal customers.”

Blue Grass Motorsport’s beginnings date to 1966, when Herb Vine opened Blue Grass Mercury. The company added a Lincoln franchise in 1973, followed by European luxury brands.

Andy Vine said the family decided “it was time for all of us to retire from the automotive business.”

“Our family is honored to have served the Louisville community for decades and we are deeply grateful to our employees and customers for their loyalty and support,” co-owner Jim Haynes said, “We know this community, which has been so important to Blue Grass Motorsport and to our family, is in very good hands with the Germain family.”

Kerrigan Advisors said JLR’s Range Rover line has the industry’s best customer loyalty rates in the industry and its sales grew by double-digit in 2024, while Porsche has been named the world’s most valuable luxury brand by BrandFinance for six consecutive years.

“The combination of a prime Louisville location, three of the most prestigious luxury franchises in the industry, and decades of family ownership created a compelling opportunity for buyers,” managing director Ryan Kerrigan said. “Demand for high-quality luxury assets in the Southern U.S. remains exceptionally strong, supported by favorable growth dynamics, business-friendly operating environments and some of the most attractive market fundamentals in the U.S.”

Gates returns to MBUSA as VP of network development

Mercedes-Benz USA announced Greg Gates has been hired as vice president of network development, succeeding Frank Diertl, who has retired after more than 25 years with the automaker.

The position marks a return to the Mercedes organization for Gates, who held a variety of roles with the company and its captive finance company from 1999 to 2018. He’ll begin his new role Sept. 2.

MBUSA president and CEO Adam Chamberlain said Gates’ new job is a “critical executive role.”

“Our extensive retail network is a crucial component and catalyst to our success,” he said. “Greg’s experience with the brand and in the broader automotive industry will ensure he is poised and ready to work with our incredible dealer partners to further enhance the network and overall customer experience within the U.S. market.”

Gates’ most recent position with MBUSA was as general manager of strategic retail development, helping steer the dealer network with what the company called “a strategic and targeted approach” that “contributed to achieving multiple years of luxury market sales leadership.”

Gates later served as vice president of business transformation for Swickard Auto Group and chief operating officer of dealership training platform RockED, leading operational strategy, enterprise sales and partner integration.