The Queen City is already home to two of the nation’s largest auto retailers in Sonic Automotive and Hendrick Automotive Group, each of which is headquartered in Charlotte, N.C.
And soon Charlotte will have standalone used-car stores from two of the country's publicly traded dealer groups.
AutoNation announced in its quarterly earnings report Thursday that it plans on opening an AutoNation USA used-car store in Charlotte during …
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Roughly a month after debuting its first AutoNation USA store in Denver, AutoNation said Monday it has opened a second used-car store in the city: AutoNation USA Denver Broadway.
This location is the third of five AutoNation USA stores the retailer plans to debut in 2021.
AutoNation USA Denver 104 was announced on Sept. 15.
By the end of 2026, the dealer group expects it will be operating more than 130 AutoNation USA stores.
In May, the retailer said it opened AutoNation USA San Antonio, its fourth pre-owned store in Texas. In addition to the San Antonio store and two Denver locations, AutoNation is also planning to open AutoNation USA locations in Phoenix and Austin, Texas.
“We are incredibly excited about the opening of AutoNation USA Denver Broadway,” AutoNation market president Jeff Thorpe said in a news release. “We look forward to providing a peerless customer experience and connecting with our community through our Drive Pink initiative, which has raised and donated over $28 million to cancer research and treatment.”
The Feldman Automotive Group has expanded its presence in Michigan with the purchase of Detroit’s Jorgensen Ford from seller Merlton Brandenburg.
The store is now Feldman Ford of Detroit.
The acquisition, announced Friday, means Feldman has 17 stores throughout Michigan and Ohio. That tally includes five Buckeye State stores in which the group has partnered with actor Mark Wahlberg.
For the acquisition of Jorgensen Ford, Feldman partnered with Eddie Hall III and Cliff Cicotte, making this dealership Detroit’s only minority-owned store, the group said.
Hall is general manager of Hall Automotive Group and Cicotte is the owner of Spirit Ford in Dundee.
“I’m looking forward to working with Eddie and Cliff on this new store. Our dealership mix will be enhanced with the Ford offering as we expand the Feldman Automotive Group in Michigan and Ohio,” group chairman and chief executive officer Jay Feldman said in a news release. “Our current and future customers will continue to have more and more choices when considering their next purchase.”
Wahlberg and Feldman partnered for their fifth Ohio store (Mark Wahlberg Chevrolet) in July, and the dealer group added Feldman Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Clarkson in December.
The group is also constructing a Jeep store across the street from the Clarkston store.
Charlotte, N.C.-based Sonic Automotive is pushing growth of its pre-owned only branch — EchoPark Automotive — with the opening of a new delivery center, this time in New Orleans.
This delivery center opening — the first in the state of Louisiana and the 31st for EchoPark — is a reflection of the dealer group's continued effort to grow its EchoPark nationwide distribution network.
“With the opening of the EchoPark New Orleans Delivery Center, we are excited to provide our guests in the greater New Orleans market with a modern car buying experience that is flexible, seamless and guest-focused from start to finish,” Sonic and EchoPark chief executive officer David Smith said in a news release. “As we continue to expand our nationwide reach, each new market introduces a new population of car buyers to our exceptional selection of high-quality, pre-owned vehicles, priced up to $3,000 below the competition.”
EchoPark customers in Lousiana can either head to the new location, located at 4625 Airline Drive in Metairie, La., or go online to EchoPark.com to browse the over 10,000 1- to 4-year-old vehicles. Online shoppers can then schedule a pickup appointment at an EchoPark Delivery Center or Retail Sales Center.
“Car buyers in the Louisiana market have already discovered the value of the EchoPark brand, traveling hundreds of miles to save thousands of dollars purchasing a vehicle from one of our two EchoPark retail sales centers in Houston. We are happy to announce that we have reduced that travel time by bringing our flexible, seamless car-buying experience directly to the New Orleans market as we continue to expand our nationwide reach,” Sonic and EchoPark president Jeff Dyke said.
In additional news from the dealer group, Sonic Automotive announced earlier this week on Monday it has named a chief marketing officer and a chief revenue officer for its EchoPark program, as well.
Sonic Automotive announced on Monday it has named a chief marketing officer and a chief revenue officer for its EchoPark Automotive standalone used-car store program.
Dino Bernacchi is EchoPark's first CMO and will lead the Sonic pre-owned stores' marketing as nationwide expansion continues. Most recently, Bernacchi served as the senior vice president of marketing for the Cleveland Browns NFL franchise. And he's no stranger to auto either, having led marketing and branding teams at General Motors, Harley-Davidson and Mazda during his over-20 year career.
“We are excited to bring Dino Bernacchi on board,” Sonic and EchoPark chief executive officer David Smith said in a news release. “His vast expertise in brand development and marketing is a natural fit with our goal of making EchoPark a nationwide household name synonymous with providing an exceptional guest experience to consumers who shop online or in-store for quality pre-owned vehicles at great prices.”
These two new hires, the company said, further solidifies Sonic Automotive’s commitment to the long-term success of its EchoPark growth plan.
And Bernacchi will play a big role in that plan.
“I’m personally excited to be back in the automotive business and professionally excited to help build a brand whose sole focus is driving automotive ownership dreams with the best guest experience,” said Bernacchi, CMO of EchoPark Automotive. “I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to help propel a business that can offer up the best of both. David, Jeff, and team have built the foundation of a strong brand that we’ll take to the next level.”
Meanwhile, Thien Truong has been named EchoPark's first chief revenue officer. Truong is a fintech veteran with over 25 years of experience. Truong joins Sonic’s pre-owned vehicle segment from Brightloom, where he helped launch an omnichannel software solution that "automated restaurant operations and leveraged data for restaurants to create stronger customer relationships."
Prior to Brightloom, Truon served in the same CRO role as he will at Sonic, leading the product, revenue, marketing, and public relations departments, developing product strategy and commercialization of a new payment platform enabling consumers to digitize cash.
“We look forward to Thien joining the EchoPark family and sharing his knowledge, fintech expertise, and best practices as we develop our first-class omnichannel car buying platform,” said Smith. “His innovative, customer-driven approach is a perfect fit for our long-term growth strategy.”
Sonic and EchoPark president Jeff Dyke added in the press release: “We remain committed to executing our omnichannel strategy, and the appointment of Thien will take us another step closer to our goal. Thien’s creative, customer-focused approach, combined with his enthusiasm and proven track record of building successful products and solutions, is a great complement to our team.”
AutoNation, whose charitable donations have all gone towards fighting cancer since 2013, will host October "Drive Pink" events at DRV PNK Stadium with InterMiami CF and 2021 Indy 500 Winner Hélio Castroneves.
Since launching its Drive Pink initiative in 2015, the dealer group has raised and donated more than $28 million to create awareness and support critical research and treatment through partnerships with cancer charities from coast to coast.
"We take tremendous pride in the many partnerships we've forged through our fundraising efforts not only during Breast Cancer Awareness Month but all year long," said Marc Cannon, executive VP and chief customer experience officer, in a news release. "It's thanks to the generosity and commitment of our partners and Associates that we're able to provide this substantial support."
On Oct, 12 and Oct. 20, AutoNation will host events at DRV PNK Stadium, in an effort to continue raising awareness and funds to drive out cancer.
First up, on Oct 12, in celebration of the 6th Annual DRVPNK Across America Day, Inter Miami CF players will join AutoNation associates to fill comfort bags for cancer patients at AutoNation-sponsored, DRV PNK Stadium. Every October, Associates from more than 300 AutoNation locations unite to honor those touched by cancer. This year, AutoNation reps from more than 300 locations will write thousands of messages of hope to those who are battling the disease.
Then on Oct. 20, fans are encouraged to support the DRVPNK cause at the Inter Miami CF versus Toronto FC match with opportunities to honor loved ones touched by cancer by wearing pink that evening. The first 10,000 fans who enter the stadium will receive FREE pink rally towels.
Inter Miami will also join AutoNation to recognize 4-time INDY 500 Champion Hélio Castroneves at the pre-game ceremony.
AutoNation said Wednesday it has opened the second of the five standalone used-car stores it plans to launch this year.
AutoNation USA Denver 104 is the first of two pre-owned stores the retailer intends on opening in the area during 2021.
By the end of 2026, the dealer group expects it will be operating more than 130 AutoNation USA stores.
In May, the retailer said it opened AutoNation USA San Antonio, its fourth pre-owned store in Texas. In addition to the San Antonio store and two Denver locations, AutoNation is also planning to open AutoNation USA locations in Phoenix and Austin, Texas.
"We are incredibly excited about the opening of AutoNation USA Denver 104. We look forward to providing a peerless customer experience and connecting with our community through our Drive Pink initiative, which has raised and donated over $28 million for cancer research and treatment," AutoNation market president Jeff Thorpe said in a news release.
The new store is located at 759 W 104th Ave. in Northglenn, Colo.
The California New Car Dealers Association Scholarship Foundation is providing more than $100,000 to students seeking out automotive technology careers through its annual CAR CAREERS Scholarship Program; the winners of which it announced this week.
The dealer association’s scholarship program selected honorees after evaluating applicants’ academic performances, career interests and industry experience.
The foundation’s board chose the top four candidates from each of California’s five regions. Those 20 grand recipients were awarded $5,000 each for education and training expenses.
The board selected the overall winner — Vincent Lagasca — as the overall winner. He received an additional $5,000 as part of the Peter K. Welch Honorary Scholarship.
“We were very impressed with the students who applied for this scholarship program and are proud to be able to support them as they pursue promising careers in the auto tech industry,” said Brian Maas, who is president of CNCDA and the vice president of the CNCDA Scholarship Foundation.
Added CNCDA Scholarship Foundation chairperson Cheryl Bedford: “We want to help encourage more and more students to think about the automotive industry as an attractive career option. We believe this scholarship program will help not only support the students who win, but will also serve as a tool to increase interest and awareness about the industry.”
The retail footprint of Lithia & Driveway just keeps growing.
On Tuesday, the company announced the acquisition of Rock Honda, a Top 20 Honda New Volume Dealer in the U.S. The company highlighted the purchase of this high-performing Honda dealership in the Inland Empire continues its “fast-paced growth trajectory” and expands the reach of its omni-channel network.
The company recapped that Rock Honda is located in Fontana, Calif., and was the 16th largest New Volume Honda store in the nation in 2020.
In addition to vehicle sales and service, Rock Honda is also licensed to provide customers with personal insurance as part of their consumer offerings.
LAD projected that Rock Honda is expected to generate $170 million in annualized revenues, bringing its total expected annualized revenue acquired to date in 2021 to more than $4.9 billion.
Lithia pointed out that it is pacing ahead of five-year plan to achieve $50 in earnings per share (EPS) and $50 billion in revenue by 2025.
This purchase was financed using an existing on-balance sheet capacity, according to the company.
“We are excited to reach more consumers in the Southwest region and welcome the Rock Honda team to the Lithia & Driveway family,” president and chief executive officer Bryan DeBoer said.
“This high-performing, customer-focused store expands our omni-channel network and introduces a new adjacency with personal insurance products, further complementing our ability to provide consumers transportation solutions wherever, whenever and however they desire,” DeBoer went on to say.
Del Grande Dealer Group (DGDG) and Walser Automotive Group made positive headlines on Thursday and Friday in connection with their workplaces and philanthropic efforts.
At Walser, the group highlighted its campaign is driving more than $100,000 to nonprofits in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area as well as the Wichita, Kan., region.
According to a news release, Walser’s campaign called Shop For a Cause donated $25 for every new and pre-owned vehicle sold during June.
Before getting the keys to their vehicle, Walser customers could choose from a menu of local nonprofits to support. Walser, which operates dealerships in Minnesota and Kansas, preselected local organizations in those states for the 2021 Shop For a Cause event.
The benefiting nonprofits of Shop for a Cause cover a wide range of social services, including support for veterans, mental health services, LGBTQ+ and homeless youth, wealth-building initiatives in BIPOC communities, teachers, and rescue animals.
“We’re excited to expand Walser’s scope of giving with Shop For a Cause. This event allows Walser Automotive Group to further support community groups that are typically outside the mission of the Walser Foundation,” Nancy Warner, director of the Walser Foundation, said in the news release.
Walser Automotive Group commits 5% of all pre-tax earnings to the Walser Foundation, which annually funds hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants and sponsorships. The Walser Foundation primarily focuses grants on education and workforce development nonprofits.
“Shop For a Cause was incredibly well received by our customers. People are genuinely excited to learn about these organizations and give back, especially in this time of heightened need,” Warner said.
Warner added that COVID-19 has profoundly impacted nonprofits and communities. She said the unpredictability of canceled or virtual fundraising events, loss of sponsors, and overall staffing issues have created concern in the nonprofit sector.
“We’re proud to make this impact at a key time in the communities where we live and work,” Warner said.
Walser’s Shop For a Cause event supported the following organizations:
— Every Third Saturday
— Nexus Community Partners
— People Incorporated
— The Bridge For Youth
— Project Teacher
— Rise Up For Youth
— Beauties & Beasts
Walser operates 26 new and preowned dealerships and multiple rental, fleet and affiliate businesses throughout Minnesota, Kansas and Illinois.
DGDG receives another award
Meanwhile on the West Coast, the Bay Area News Group has recognized the Del Grande Dealer Group as one of the Top Workplaces of 2021, marking the 11th consecutive year that DGDG has achieved this honor.
According to a news release, DGDG placed third in the large company category. The group said winners are chosen based on results of an annual employee feedback survey completed solely by employees. The survey measures several aspects of workplace culture including alignment, future company vision, execution and communication.
“We are so proud of our team and the accomplishments we have achieved over the past year,” DGDG chief executive officer Shaun Del Grande said in the news release.
“This award is the highlight of our year and we are proud to be on this list with such incredible companies. Our team continues to provide a world-class experience for our guests and DGDG will continue to innovate to be at our best for all team members,” Del Grande added.
DGDG includes 14 brands and 12 dealerships in the Bay Area.
