After seeing the improvement of its first two 2018 dealership acquisitions in Western Canada, Foundation Automotive Group in Calgary is looking for rapid U.S. growth in 2019, with seven U.S. dealership acquisitions planned for the first quarter and nine planned after that for the second quarter.

Foundation Automotive Corp., which describes itself as one of Canada’s newest and fastest-growing automotive groups, acquired Foundation Squamish Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Squamish, B.C., in October. In November, the group acquired Foundation Drayton Valley Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Drayton Valley, Alberta.

“When we acquired these stores, back in October and November of 2018, they were not broken stores. They were good stores with room for improvement. And we like that,” Chuck Kramer, chief operating officer of Foundation Auto, said in a news release. “What we're doing is coming in and re-working some of the key processes, creating efficiencies and providing much-needed support. Our early efforts are already showing rewards.”

Foundation Auto boasts of its “all-star executive management team with the perfect mix of operations specialists and analytical professionals.” The company says the team’s vision is to be “the North American benchmark for top-tier automotive solutions.”

That group will work on continuing to improve operations at its most recently acquired dealerships. Travis Van Spronsen (dealer principal/managing partner) will manage Foundation Drayton Valley Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, and his operational experience includes work with Browns’ Chevrolet Buick GMC in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. At that dealership, Van Spronsen “built a deep-rooted culture of service,” Foundation Automotive Group noted in a news release.

Adam Mounzer (dealer principal/managing partner) will manage Foundation Squamish Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, and he brings more than 25 years of industry experience. That experience includes more than five years in management roles at Dodge dealerships across Western Canada.