A longtime Mitsubishi dealership is walking away from the brand.

Porcaro Automotive in Wisconsin’s Racine-Kenosha area announced it is no longer representing Mitsubishi, ending a relationship with the automaker that dates to 1999.

General manager Dan Hoppenjan said the decision was “driven by circumstances beyond the dealership’s control” and reflects Mitsubishi’s “well-documented struggles” in the U.S. market.

In a news release, Porcaro said its former Mitsubishi store will continue to sell used vehicles and provide service and maintenance. The company, founded in 1978, also owns a nearby Ford dealership.

Hoppenjan noted Porcaro has consistently ranked among Wisconsin’s top Mitsubishi stores for customer satisfaction and said the dealership’s commitment to its customers and the Racine and Kenosha communities remains unchanged.

“Our focus has always been on serving our customers with honesty, consistency and care,” he said. “That commitment continues today, just as it has for more than 40 years.”

For Mitsubishi owners, certain warranty or recall repairs that must be completed by an authorized Mitsubishi dealership might require travel outside the area. Hoppenjan acknowledged the inconvenience and said customers who prefer to transition to a vehicle that can be fully serviced locally are eligible for a trade-in value bonus toward a new or used vehicle from Porcaro’s inventory.

Porcaro Ford president Mark Porcaro expressed gratitude for the community’s longstanding support and reaffirmed his commitment to delivering what he called “a whole new experience in car buying.”

“We are proud of our history,” he said, “grateful for our customers, and excited to continue serving Racine and Kenosha for many years to come.”

AutoNation staffers build bikes for cancer patients

AutoNation shifted gears from cars to bicycles to benefit pediatric cancer patients from Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center’s alex’s place.

Employees from the company’s headquarters in Fort Lauderdale. Fla., built bikes that will be donated to children battling cancer during the upcoming Dolphins Cancer Challenge DCC XVI, coming up Feb. 28 at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.

The event is sponsored by the NFL’s Miami Dolphins to support cancer research at Sylvester, which was ranked among the nation’s top 50 facilities for cancer care by U.S. News and World Report. The bicycle initiative is part of DRV PNK, AutoNation’s company-wide commitment to driving out cancer in communities across the country.

“We are grateful for our AutoNation associates who continue to bring joy and comfort to cancer patients in our communities by generously contributing their time,” vice president of communications and corporate affairs Lisa Rhodes Ryans said. “AutoNation has been a steadfast supporter of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and the DCC since 2012, and we look forward to participating again at DCC XVI and helping raise critical funds for innovative cancer research.”

AutoNation’s DRV PNK campaign has supported thousands of cancer patients and raised millions of dollars for cancer-related causes, the company said.

Swickard’s mission: Save 1,000 dogs every year

Swickard Auto Group is strengthening its already close ties to the Portland, Ore., area with a groupwide mission to help save 1,000 dogs every year through expanded support of animal rescue organizations and increased community engagement, with continued investment and visibility in the Portland area.

While the company is based in the Las Vegas area, CEO Jeff Swickard, a University of Oregon graduate, has invested heavily in Portland. He also has a personal commitment to animal welfare, Swickard Auto said in a news release, believing every animal deserves safety, compassionate care and kindness, especially homeless pets waiting for a family to choose them.

Oregon Dog Rescue accepts a donation from Swickard Auto Group. Photo courtesy of Swickard Auto Group.

In 2015, he helped establish Swickard’s animal welfare mission work through Mercedes-Benz of Wilsonville by donating $100 from every new vehicle sold to Oregon Dog Rescue and The Pixie Project for a month, raising a total of $34,000.

Since 2016, Swickard Auto has donated more than $350,000 to Oregon Dog Rescue, helping animals receive medical care, safe shelter, transport, foster placement and adoption services.

Jeff Swickard adopted his rescue dog, Mason, from Oregon Dog Rescue. Swickard said Mason, who had been returned three times before finally finding a home, is “a part of our story, a four-legged ambassador who reflects what Swickard stands for.”

The company said the partnership in the Portland area is “a cornerstone of Swickard’s broader giving strategy,” which includes philanthropic contributions totaling approximately $2.5 million in the communities where Swickard operates.

The group operates 53 dealerships in Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii.

“Our mission to save 1,000 dogs every year is a commitment we are making across Swickard Auto Group,” Swickard said. “Oregon has shown us what is possible when a community rallies around its local organizations. We are proud of our longstanding support for Oregon Dog Rescue, and we are focused on building even more momentum, so more get the care they need and the homes they deserve.”

Keeler acquires NYC-area dealerships as New Country focuses on DC

Jesse Hord of Keeler Motor Car Company and his capital partner, Open Road Capital, has acquired three dealerships in the greater New York City area from New Country Motor Car Group, according to Haig Partners, which represented the seller in the transaction.

Keeler has added Lexus of Westport and Toyota of Westport in Westport, Conn., and Audi Hawthorne in Westchester County, N.Y., to its holdings, which also include two locations in southwest Connecticut and one in the Albany, N.Y., area.

New Country, founded in 1983, operates 26 dealerships in Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and Florida, representing mostly luxury brands.

“We decided to reposition capital to another one of our core markets, the Washington D.C. area,” New Country president Jared Cantanucci said. “We love these brands and continue to own and invest in them. In fact, we just acquired five luxury dealerships in D.C. that included Audi, BMW, Jaguar-Land Rover and Porsche dealerships.

“We remain highly interested in acquiring higher-volume luxury and import dealerships in our core markets. … We congratulate Jesse Hord and Open Road Capital and wish them well.”

Haig Partners president Alan Haig said the overall buy-sell market is “very active as dealership profits remain strong and there are many groups looking to grow. Dealership valuations are near their all-time high, which is attracting sellers into the market. The combination of strong demand and high supply makes for highly favorable conditions.”