OpenRoad Auto Group has a long history with Toyota.
The group began its partnership with the automaker in 1978, when the company opened its first Toyota showroom on Granville Avenue in Richmond. The dealership in 1985 moved to its current Richmond Auto Mall location and renamed it OpenRoad Toyota Richmond. The dealership group went on to acquire two more Toyota dealerships. On Jan. 22, OpenRoad announced the acquisition of its fourth British Columbia Toyota dealership and 28th automotive retail location, Peace Arch Toyota in South Surrey.
In other Canadian dealership news, Mercedes-Benz Canada named its 2019 Star Dealers, which are the group’s top 11 dealerships among the company’s national network of 59 retail locations.
Regarding the OpenRoad news, the auto group is singing the praises of Peace Arch Toyota, noting that under the Vines family leadership, the dealership earned Toyota’s highest honor for excellence in customer service, sales volumes and market penetration. OpenRoad also noted that Peace Arch has earned the President’s Program Award five times.
But the praise doesn’t stop there. OpenRoad emphasizes Peace Arch Toyota’s charitable reputation in the community for its many donations to the Special Olympics, the Canada Cup Softball Tournament and the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation. As the new owners of Peace Arch Toyota, OpenRoad says it plans to continue those traditions.
The company is currently building what will be the new home of OpenRoad Toyota Richmond, and OpenRoad say it will become Canada’s largest Toyota dealership. The company is calling it an “impressive 205,000 square foot, mega facility” that it says will incorporate the most advanced technological features and environmental systems. while housing the country’s largest Toyota showroom and service centre. The new OpenRoad Toyota Richmond dealership is expected to open in late 2019.
Openroad will soon rebrand Peace Arch Toyota as OpenRoad Toyota Peace Arch, which will also feature OpenRoad’s Club OpenRoad loyalty program.
“We are honored to continue the legacy and family success story of Peach Arch Toyota as a leading B.C. Toyota dealer in White Rock and South Surrey,” Christian Chia, chief executive officer of OpenRoad Auto Group, said in a news release. “We look forward to maintaining the dealership’s excellent reputation for offering superior customer service, being a committed community partner and a great place to work.”
For Mercedes-Benz Canada, the dealership notes that its 2019 Star Dealers, over the course of the 2018 calendar year, must have shown outstanding performance in new and pre-owned sales and service and parts, in addition to exceptional customer service satisfaction. The Star Dealer designation was first introduced in 1999.
The 2019 Star Dealers are as follows (listed from east to west):
— Norman Hébert, Mercedes-Benz de Québec
— Benoît Theetge, Mercedes-Benz St-Nicolas
— Peter Santos, Mercedes-Benz Peterborough
— Neal Bodack and Giuseppe Zanchin, Mercedes-Benz Durham
— Glen Alizadeh, Performance Mercedes-Benz
— Van Malkhassian, Mercedes-Benz Markham
— Graham MacNab Mercedes-Benz Midtown
— Sylvester Chuang Mercedes-Benz Oakville
— Jonathan Eltes Mercedes-Benz Brampton
— Rick Sentes Kelowna Mercedes-Benz
— Ajay Dilawri, Mercedes-Benz Langley
“In 2018, Mercedes-Benz dealers from coast to coast worked incredibly hard to provide exceptional products and services to our customers," said Brian Fulton, president and chief executive officer of Mercedes-Benz Canada, said in a news release. “Thanks to their efforts, the company was able to maintain its position as the number one luxury manufacturer in Canada for the fifth consecutive year.”
Moncton, New Brunswick-based TSI Auto Solutions has been purchased by NCM Associates, a firm out of Kansas City, Mo., whose claim to fame is founding the 20 Group process.
NCM said in a news release Thursday that it will be “business as usual” for the two companies in the near term and that “any merger activities will be done with the utmost care to minimize client impacts.”
Financial terms of the merger, which was effective Sept. 28, were not disclosed.
“TSI Auto Solutions is excited to partner with an employee-owned, industry veteran like NCM that’s as dedicated to clients’ success as we are,” TSI president Jane Ravenshaw said in the news release.
“Together, I’m confident we will expand our current services and develop new products to give OEMs and their dealers the data and intelligence they need to optimize profitability,” she added.
NCM president and chief executive Paul Faletti, Jr. said: “First and foremost, I’m thrilled to welcome TSI associates to the NCM family. Jane and I are truly excited about our new partnership and the opportunities it will create for our associates, and especially for our clients.
“Our portfolio of reporting and analytical options will only grow and improve from here, and I know our OEM and dealer clients will appreciate having tools designed to help them make better, more informed decisions based on data to drive performance,” he said.
Now that AutoCanada’s top leadership is finalized, the company is turning its attention back to expanding its dealership footprint.
This week, AutoCanada announced that it will be acquiring Mercedes-Benz Heritage Valley, which is one of only two Mercedes-Benz dealerships in Edmonton.
Mercedes-Benz Heritage Valley includes a 78,733 square foot facility, a 22-vehicle showroom, 23 service bays and nine detail bays.
“We are thrilled to acquire Mercedes-Benz Heritage Valley and to expand our luxury brand portfolio,” AutoCanada executive chairman Paul Antony said. “This acquisition is consistent with our strategy of selective and disciplined acquisitions, with a view to superior operational performance and diversification of our portfolio of dealerships.”
The company said the acquisition of Mercedes-Benz Heritage Valley remains subject to customary closing conditions, but AutoCanada expects to close by the end of September.
“With its stunning state-of-the-art facility, Mercedes-Benz Heritage Valley will be a flagship dealership for AutoCanada in our home of Edmonton,” AutoCanada president Michael Rawluk said. “We look forward to the opportunity to continue to build the Mercedes-Benz brand in the Edmonton market, and we are committed to operational excellence at Mercedes-Benz Heritage Valley. I have full confidence in Bobby Ammar, who will be appointed as dealer principal.”
The automaker cheered the acquisition announcement, too.
“Mercedes-Benz is pleased to partner again with AutoCanada,” Mercedes-Benz Canada president and chief executive officer Brian Fulton said. “We would like to thank Tom Wilson for taking Mercedes-Benz Heritage Valley to the stage that it is at today, and we look forward to continued growth and success for its new owners, AutoCanada and dealer principal Bobby Ammar, at Mercedes-Benz Heritage Valley.”
Auto Financial Group (AFG) — a Houston-based company that provides an online, residual-based, walk-away vehicle financing product called AFG Balloon Lending, as well as vehicle leasing and vehicle remarketing to financial institutions across the United States — now has a significant presence in Canada.
According to a news release distributed on Thursday, AFG announced that it completed the acquisition of Credit Union Leasing Administration of Canada on Aug. 1.
CUL Administration of Canada provides a turnkey program to Canadian credit unions to enable them to participate in consumer and commercial vehicle leasing.
The announcement indicated Peter Birks, president of CUL Administration of Canada, will continue to run operations as the company integrates with Auto Financial Group.
Company leadership explained AFG’s growth into new markets demonstrates its commitment to financial institutions across the United States and Canada to meet the rising consumer demand for residual based financing.
“We are excited to welcome CUL Administration of Canada to the AFG team and look forward to their contributions,” said Richard Epley, chief executive officer of Auto Financial Group.
“The acquisition is perfectly aligned with Auto Financial Group's mission to provide innovative, revenue producing programs to financial institutions and will position the company for continued growth and success in the future,” Epley continued.
Groupe Park Avenue announced in early July that it has acquired three Brossard Jaguar/Land Rover, Volvo and Mitsubishi dealerships in Quebec from Groupe John Scotti.
This acquisition news follows the company’s recent purchase of the Leo Harley-Davidson dealership just about three months ago.
Groupe Park Avenue shared that the Scotti family found the company to be a suitable buyer that can ensure the long-term viability of the three Brossard Jaguar/Land Rover, Volvo and Mitsubishi dealerships.
“Groupe John Scotti, and more specifically its Brossard dealerships, is a Quebec-based company that will be handed over to entrepreneurs firmly rooted in Quebec”, Groupe John Scotti president John Scotti said in a news release.
Furthermore, all 87 Scotti Brossard dealership employees can either remain or opt for a succession plan that includes social benefits and various recognition awards, according to Groupe Park Avenue.
With the addition of the three Scotti Brossard dealerships, Groupe Park Avenue now has a portfolio of 24 automobile dealerships and 1,150-plus employees.
Last year, the company said that it sold nearly 20,000 vehicles, and its annual sales amounted to about $850 million.
Pfaff Automotive Partners has acquired a Mercedes-Benz dealership in Kitchener, Ontario, the group announced early this month.
Now named Mercedes-Benz Kitchener-Waterloo, Pfaff’s newly purchased facility spans 41,000 square-feet and was last owned by Victoria Star Motors, which first launched operations at the location in 1994.
“When I was getting my start in the automotive industry, I worked with the Mercedes-Benz brand from 1982 to 1985,” Pfaff Automotive Partners president and chief executive officer Chris Pfaff said in a news release. “What I learned about premium products and a premium customer experience has stuck with me, and that’s just one reason I’m so excited to be involved with the brand once again.”
Located at 125 Centennial Road, Mercedes-Benz Kitchener-Waterloo is an AMG Performance Center, a Mercedes-Benz van retailer and a smart retailer, according to Pfaff Automotive.
The group also said that the dealership provides both retail and commercial customers a vast selection of vehicle options that fit a variety of price ranges.
“Mercedes-Benz Canada is extremely pleased to welcome Chris Pfaff to our family of retailers,” said Brian Fulton, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada. “Chris has successfully represented high luxury automotive brands across the country for many decades. With the support of a highly qualified team already in place, I am very confident that the significant level of commitment and experience that Chris brings to Mercedes-Benz Kitchener-Waterloo will ensure its sustained growth and continued success.”
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the Alkiers for their 25 excellent years of dedicated service at Victoria Star Motors,” said Fulton.
Go Auto has purchased the Toyota on the Trail store that’s located close to the dealership network’s nearby Drayton Valley Toyota location.
The company announced Wednesday that it has begun operations at Toyota on the Trail with new general manager Shane Sutherland, who most recently served as GM at Edmonton's Norden Volkswagen store. The dealership is the top Volkswagen store in Western Canada and the No. 2 store nationwide, according to Go Auto.
“Toyota on the Trail customers are going to love Shane Sutherland,” Go Auto president Jason Smith said in a news release. “He set all-time highs for customer satisfaction at Norden Volkswagen, and he's excited to bring that same customer-first approach to the Toyota brand.
“Despite his success he's remained a humble and fun-loving guy, and his hallmark has always been clean and clear communication. This is exactly what customers expert from their dealerships today," Smith added.
“We couldn't be more excited to continue our partnership with Toyota in a central, convenient Edmonton location,” added Smith. “Toyota is already a world-class brand with class-leading vehicles.
“For us to be able to add the Go Auto advantage to that — our exclusive benefits, our 24/7 customer service, our communication tools — is tremendously exciting, both for us, and, we hope, for the Edmonton car buyer.”
At Toyota on the Trail, Go Auto said that Toyota buyers can now take advantage of several exclusive benefits.
Along with 10 percent off parts and service purchases and up to $500 in referral bonuses, Go Auto offers customers free service loaners, a 30-day exchange privilege, as well as in-house insurance and finance options, according to the dealership network.
iA Financial Group has wrapped up its purchase of Dealers Assurance Company and Southwest Reinsure Inc., a company collectively known as DAC.
The deal to purchase the privately owned vehicle service contract company was first announced on Sept. 21.
DAC builds and distributes extended warranties thorough a U.S. auto dealer network. iA Financial, which is one of Canada’s largest insurance and wealth management companies, said in a news release that the scale of its own vehicle warranty business can be doubled through the acquisition of DAC.
The deal also broadens its U.S. footprint.
When the purchase was first announced in September, iA Financial Group president and chief executive officer Yvon Charest said in a news release: “Having built a solid presence in personal insurance in the U.S. and after close consideration of strategic opportunities to enlarge our U.S. footprint, we have chosen to make our next move in the automobile warranty market.
“This is a business where we have built tremendous know-how and experience over the last 20 years in Canada, which we now want to leverage in the larger U.S. market," Charest added.
Mike Stickney, president of iA American said, “The U.S. market for extended warranties is about $15 billion or ten times that of Canada. “It is very fragmented with significant opportunity for growth and consolidation.
“With our solid track record in the extended warranty business in Canada together with the established presence of DAC in the U.S., we look forward to this new chapter in our U.S. expansion with great anticipation.”
Dilawri Group of Companies recently announced it has added one of 64 BMW Newmarket dealerships to its portfolio.
The BMW Newmarket location, which represents the fourth BMW dealership for the group, was recently renovated to expand both the showroom and service department, according to Dilawri.
“With the addition of BMW Newmarket, we are proud to introduce Dilawri’s customer-centric focus to Newmarket and surrounding area,” group co-principal director Kap Dilawri said in a news release. “We are extremely pleased to further strengthen our partnership with BMW Canada, and are proud to represent this world-class brand in Newmarket.”
Additionally, BMW Newmarket customers can now take part in the Dilawri Rewards program, which extends savings on service, parts, accessories and future vehicle purchases to repeat customers.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to assist customers in Newmarket and the surrounding area with their luxury vehicle sales and service needs, and we look forward to becoming an integral part of the local community,” added BMW Newmarket general manager Jamie MacArthur.
AutoCanada recently announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire 90 percent of the issued and outstanding shares of the Planete Mazda dealership, which has operated for nearly 30 years in the greater Montreal region on the north shore in Mirabel.
The new purchase will be the first Mazda dealership for AutoCanada, and it’s fourth in the greater Montreal region.
Following customary closing conditions and approvals, the transaction is expected to close within 30 days, according to the company.
"This is a very important acquisition for AutoCanada," group president and chief executive officer Steven Landry said in a news release announcing the acquisition. "The Loiselle family has established a strong presence in the area, and we look forward to partnering with Sylvain Loiselle and the entire Planete Mazda team to accelerate their growth.
“The acquisition marks the addition of a new brand to our portfolio and the start of our relationship with Mazda Canada. It advances our strategy of adding new brands in metropolitan areas to expand and diversify our dealer network and drive sustainable long-term growth," Landry explained.
AutoCanada said as part of the transaction it will lease the newly acquired dealership’s 35,000-square-foot facility, 18 car showroom and 22 service bays.
"Mazda is pleased to welcome AutoCanada to our group of dealers," said Dave Klan, Mazda Canada senior director of sales, marketing and regional operations. "It is acquiring a well-performing dealership in a key market for us. The Loiselle's have built a wonderful facility and have been an important part of the Mazda family in Canada for years. With Sylvain Loiselle remaining as dealer principal, as well as the addition of a talented team at AutoCanada, we see great things ahead for Mazda with this change in ownership."
