A top dealership in the San Francisco Bay Area now has a new owner.

Bakhtiari Auto Group has acquired Acura of Fremont in Fremont, Calif., from Bruce Kavich, according to Haig Partners, which advised the seller in the transaction.

In a news release, Haig said Acura of Fremont is one of the top-performing Acura dealerships in the Western Region, ranking No. 1 in sales from 2015 through 2019.

Bakhtiari Auto Group, led by Oscar and Brian Bakhtiari, now operates eight franchises at seven locations in both Northern and Southern California. Haig said adding an Acura franchise was an opportunity to diversify with another strong brand and expand into another Bay Area auto mall.

Bruce Kavich sold the dealership after 40-plus years in auto retail to focus on his startup retention software company, Carveeps, which provides customizable concierge VIP plans designed to bring customers back to the dealership multiple times a year for dealer-specific service options.

“Selling the store was a very difficult decision,” he said. “I had an incredible team and their commitment meant a lot to me. But it was the right time to focus on growing Carveeps and helping other dealers benefit from it.”

Kavich said he saw a gap in customer retention strategies, with most programs relying on breakdowns or other negative experiences to bring customers back, and started Carveeps three years ago with the goal of creating a new dealership profit center to deliver up to 70% retention rates, improve customer satisfaction and drive profit from service upsell opportunities.

“Customers love it,” he said. “Carveeps creates a relationship that’s positive, consistent and profitable. The extra margin goes right to the bottom line.”

Healey Brothers dealership to hold test-drive fundraiser for food bank

Healey Lincoln is inviting the community to get behind the wheel for a cause.

The dealership in Goshen, N.Y., owned by Healey Brothers Automotive Group, will host a test-drive event Oct. 25 at the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley in Montgomery, N.Y., part of the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York.

In a news release, Healey Lincoln said it will donate $35 to the food bank for every test drive completed, up to $7,500 to support the organization’s mission of fighting hunger and nourishing communities in the region.

The event is part of Embrace For Good, Lincoln’s national philanthropic platform formerly known as Driven to Give.

Healey Brothers said it has previously hosted more than a dozen test-drive fundraisers for local nonprofit organizations, drawing strong participation.

“Programs like Embrace For Good allow us to transform the excitement of driving a Lincoln into meaningful impact for families across our region,” Healey Brothers chief marketing officer Jay Healey said. “Supporting the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York aligns with Healey Brothers’ deep commitment to being not only a trusted automotive leader, but also a true, caring community partner.”

During the event, visitors can drive the full Lincoln luxury lineup, including the Corsair, Nautilus, Aviator and Navigator, with access to exclusive Black Label and Grand Touring PHEV models. The dealership will provide complimentary seasonal refreshments, including apple cider donuts, coffee, warm apple cider and assorted candy.

Participants must be at least 18 years old and present a valid driver’s license, and will be asked to complete a brief digital registration on site.

Healey Brothers said the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, which serves six counties in the Hudson Valley counties, faces growing demand as food insecurity rises in the region. In 2024, the Food Bank distributed more than 24 million pounds of food, with the number of residents experiencing hunger increasing from 154,000 to 165,000 during the year.

Healey Brothers is heavily involved in charitable giving through its Driven to Give Foundation — not affiliated with Lincoln’s national Embrace For Good initiative — supporting schools, fire departments, charities and family-focused events throughout the region.

Earlier this month, the foundation held its annual golf outing, which raised $30,000 for Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley.

Power Ford named NM’s exclusive dealer for Sherrod Custom Ford Trucks

Power Ford in Albuquerque announced it has been named the exclusive dealer for Sherrod Custom Ford Trucks in New Mexico, bringing the upfitter’s performance-focused, luxury-enhanced vehicles to the market for the first time.

Sherrod Customs is a Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier, specializing in converting standard Ford trucks into lifted, off-road-ready builds featuring high-performance suspension, exterior customization and upgraded interiors.

The modified trucks, which maintain warranty compatibility with Ford Motor Company, are now available directly through Power Ford’s showroom and ordering network.

The dealership said the designation gives local truck enthusiasts and performance buyers access to vehicles previously available only through out-of-state specialty outlets or direct factory orders. Customers will be able to view in-stock models, schedule consultations and place factory-approved build orders to be managed and serviced locally.

“Bringing Sherrod Custom Ford Trucks into our showroom is a defining moment,” Power Ford general manager Rob Sneed said. “We’ve always aimed to offer the boldest, most capable Fords in New Mexico, and this partnership allows us to deliver custom performance with factory-backed quality and support.”

Power Ford said the addition of Sherrod’s lineup, which includes F-150 variants such as the Geneva, Signature and LZ-1, expands its performance and customization offerings that already included specialty brands Roush, Whipple and Saleen.