Separate announcements from DCG Acquisitions, part of the Dave Cantin Group (DCG), and Haig Partners detailed how a dealer group in the Northwest as well as another one in the Southeast each became bigger this week.

DCG represented both parties in the larger of the two newest developments, as the Gee Automotive Companies — among the top three largest family owned and operated automotive groups in the Pacific Northwest — acquired Dick’s Auto Group, which is one of the oldest family-owned and operated automotive groups in Portland. Ore.

According to a news release, the transaction consisted of Dick’s Hillsboro Chevrolet, Dick’s Country CDJR and Dick’s Mackenzie Ford. Under the new ownership they will be known as Tonkin Hillsboro Chevrolet, Tonkin CDJR and Tonkin Hillsboro Ford.

“This smart, incredible opportunity quickly seized by Gee Automotive Companies to acquire Dick’s Automotive Group is a perfect example of how the organization is able to continually grow in specific markets while remaining consistent with their investment strategy,”, DCG founder and chief executive officer Dave Cantin said in a news release.

Gee Automotive Companies has more than 40 OEM franchises in 33 locations.

“Our relationship with DCG Acquisitions has truly exceeded our expectations for a mergers and acquisitions firm,” Gee Automotive Companies CEO Ryan Gee said in the news release. “This is our first closed deal with DCG Acquisitions but I am confident that there will be many more over years to come. We look forward to working with George Pero and his team at DCG on future deals as we continue to grow and expand.”

Dick’s Auto Group co-owner Shannon Inukai-Cuffee added that the move with Gee is the second closed deal with DCG Acquisitions in less than 12 months

“Fast forward to today and here we are again with yet another successful transaction because of our relationship with DCG,” Inukai-Cuffee said “This time, we asked DCG to find us a suitable buyer and that is exactly what Joe Beaver did.

“In addition, George Pero spent countless hours providing our family guidance and counsel to a level I never dreamed of. I always felt DCG was with us every step of the way,” Inukai-Cuffee went on to say.

New owner for Tennessee Toyota store

Switching from the Northwest to the Southeast, Haig Partners was the exclusive sell-side advisor to the Mitchell Family Office on the sale of Toyota of Bristol in Tennessee to Tal Vickers of the Springhill Automotive Group of Mobile, Ala.

“I am excited for the opportunity to expand our dealership group with this acquisition. As a long-time Toyota dealer, I look forward to being a part of the Bristol community and representing the Toyota brand,” Vickers said in a news release distributed by Haig Partners.

JR Reihl was operating partner of Toyota of Bristol.

“I’ve had the honor of working with the team at Toyota of Bristol over the past several years and am proud of the brand and reputation we have built. I wish the team at Tal Vickers much success and continued growth,” Reihl said in the news release

Toyota of Bristol is the 29th Toyota dealership the Haig Partners team has bought or sold since 1996.

“Due to the extremely attractive market conditions for dealers and a growing need to get bigger to compete in automotive retail, we were exploring the strategic decision of selling our Toyota of Bristol location and returning our complete focus to the family’s core healthcare business opportunities,” Mark Mitchell said

“A trusted advisor in automotive retail recommended we speak to John Davis and the team at Haig Partners. John provided excellent advice and secured the right buyer who will continue to serve the Bristol market for Toyota,” Mitchell continued.

Davis is managing director with Haig Partners

“I am grateful to the Mitchell Family for their trust in Haig Partners to help them accomplish their strategic goal of selling at a time when they can maximize the return on their investment,” Davis said. “Dealers are experiencing record-breaking profits, which I believe will remain strong into 2022 and beyond.

“Many dealers today are increasingly convinced that you need to have significant scale to compete over the long-term. This growing ‘get big or get out’ belief is causing some dealers to sell while values are high. At the same time, other dealers are opting to get bigger so they can increase their scale and enjoy attractive returns on investment,” Davis went on to say.

Logan Parker and Robert Bass of Bass Sox Mercer provided legal representation for the seller. David Porteous of Evans Petree P.C. provided legal representation for the buyer.