Hey everyone,
Welcome to the CDG Dealership Mergers & Acquisitions Tracker, a comprehensive, real-time playbook for what’s happening in the dealership buy-sell space—and what it means for operators on the ground.
See what sold, when:
Last updated at 11 a.m. EST on 7/14/25 | Got a deal we missed? Send it our way.
JULY 2025
Autobahn Fort Worth to acquire historic Frank Kent Cadillac stores.
Autobahn Fort Worth is acquiring Frank Kent Motor Co.’s two Cadillac dealerships in Fort Worth and Arlington, marking the end of a 90-year chapter for one of Texas’ oldest family-run auto retailers. The Churchill family said the move was driven by a desire to offer their team more growth opportunities.
Quick facts:
Buyer: Autobahn Fort Worth (owned by investor Robert Bass)
Seller: Frank Kent Motor Co. (Will and Corrie Churchill)
Transaction Date: Expected close in October 2025 (pending OEM approval)
Stores Included: Frank Kent Cadillac Fort Worth, Frank Kent Cadillac Arlington
Brand Continuity: Frank Kent name and staff to be retained
Notable: Frank Kent was founded in 1935; new owners plan to relocate operations to a 75-acre campus
Rydell adds 3 Nebraska rooftops as Dinsdale family exits auto retail.
The Rydell Company has acquired Tom Dinsdale Automotive Group’s three Nebraska dealerships, marking the Dinsdale family’s full exit from retail after two decades. The deal includes the massive Tom Dinsdale Chevrolet Cadillac GMC store in Grand Island—one of the largest GM facilities globally—and the region’s only Cadillac franchise between Omaha and Denver.
Quick facts:
Buyer: The Rydell Company
Seller: Tom Dinsdale Automotive Group
Transaction Date: July 2025
Stores Included:
- Tom Dinsdale Chevrolet Cadillac GMC (Grand Island)
- Tom Dinsdale Hyundai (Grand Island)
- Tom Dinsdale Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (Hastings)Notable: Rydell now operates 80+ rooftops across 17 states through its partner-ownership model.
Ganley scoops up 6 Sarchione stores, ending 108 years of family ownership.
Ken Ganley Automotive Group has acquired six dealerships from the Sarchione family across northeast Ohio, marking the end of the family’s century-long run in retail. The stores span Chevrolet, Ford, Lincoln, and CDJR franchises, significantly expanding Ganley’s already deep Ohio footprint.
Quick facts:
Buyer: Ken Ganley Automotive Group
Seller: Sarchione Auto Group
Transaction Date: July 2025
Stores Included: Six total, spanning Chevrolet, Ford, Lincoln, and Chrysler brands
Notable: The Sarchione family began in 1917 with a single lot in Alliance, OH
Post-Sale Role: Sarchione brothers will stay on to manage the stores under Ganley
Ganley Footprint: 50+ stores across four states; among the fastest-growing groups in northeast Ohio
Jones Motor Company reclaims 4 Tennessee rooftops from Foundation.
Jones Motor Company has reacquired four Tennessee dealerships from Foundation Automotive, restoring full ownership of stores it had sold off in 2022. The reversal reflects a larger shift as Foundation exits peripheral markets to sharpen its focus.
Quick facts:
Buyer: Jones Motor Company
Seller: Foundation Automotive Corp
Transaction Date: June 25, 2025
Stores Included: Jones Chevrolet Humboldt, Jones Nissan of Savannah, Jones GMC of Savannah, Jones Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Savannah
Broker: Performance Brokerage Services
Notable: Deal marks a full-circle return, with Jones regaining stores it previously sold
Strategy Insight: Foundation is narrowing its footprint for better market density and operational control
Edwards Family acquires Carlock Honda in Birmingham, AL.
The Edwards family dealership group has acquired Carlock Honda and renamed it Edwards Honda, marking their second franchise in Birmingham. The group brings 110 years of retail experience to the high-performing Honda brand.
Quick facts:
Buyer: Edwards Family Dealership Group
Seller: Carlock Automotive Group
Transaction date: July 2025
Store name before: Carlock Honda
Store name now: Edwards Honda
Notable: Edwards now owns both Chevrolet and Honda stores in Birmingham, expanding market coverage in Alabama’s largest metro.
Sonic Automotive acquires 4 Jaguar Land Rover stores.
Sonic Automotive just acquired four Jaguar Land Rover dealerships in California from US Auto Trust, becoming the largest Jaguar Land Rover retail group by U.S. volume (2024 CY).
Quick facts:
Buyer: Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: SAH)
Seller: US Auto Trust
Transaction Date: July 1, 2025
Store Names Before: Jaguar Land Rover Los Angeles, Jaguar Land Rover Newport Beach, Jaguar Land Rover San Jose, Land Rover Pasadena
Store Names Now: No rebrand announced; now part of Sonic’s Jaguar Land Rover portfolio
Deal Size: Adds ~$500 million in annual revenue
Sonic Footprint: Now 177 automotive/powersports franchises at 125 locations + 18 EchoPark used car stores
Asbury sheds Utah stores as Keyvani doubles down.
Asbury Automotive just sold three Larry H. Miller dealerships in Provo—Ford, Chevrolet, and CDJR—to Salt Lake Valley Auto Group. The move tightens Asbury’s portfolio post-2021’s massive Larry H. Miller acquisition, while Salt Lake Valley Auto Group grows from four to seven stores in one of the hottest auto markets in the U.S.
Quick Facts:
Buyer: Salt Lake Valley Auto Group (Keyvani family)
Seller: Asbury Automotive
Transaction Date: July 2025
Store Names Before: Larry H. Miller Ford Provo, Larry H. Miller Chevrolet Provo, Larry H. Miller Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Provo
Store Names Now: Not yet announced; now under Salt Lake Valley Auto Group ownership
Market Insight: Utah auto sales +29% since 2020; 17% higher revenue per store than the national average
JUNE 2025
Ken Garff grabs Arizona’s largest Chevy store.
Ken Garff Automotive Group just added Gateway Chevrolet in Avondale to its roster, taking over the state’s biggest Chevy dealership. The store, now Ken Garff Gateway Chevrolet, keeps its existing team as the group deepens its Phoenix footprint.
Quick Facts:
Buyer: Ken Garff Automotive Group
Seller: Gateway Chevrolet
Transaction Date: June 25, 2025
Store Name Before: Gateway Chevrolet
Store Name Now: Ken Garff Gateway Chevrolet
Deal Context: Strengthens Ken Garff’s Phoenix expansion (now 5 stores since 2021)
Market Insight: Ken Garff now runs Chevy, Kia, Hyundai, and VW stores in metro Phoenix; 70+ dealerships across 9 states
Trust Auto Group expands in California with Palmdale Kia deal.
Trust Auto Group has acquired Palmdale Kia from Nouri/Shaver Automotive, adding another store to its California footprint. The move reflects Kia’s growing appeal in dealer M&A, as the brand surges in desirability thanks to strong margins and affordable, fast-moving models.
Quick facts:
Buyer: Trust Auto Group
Seller: Nouri/Shaver Automotive
Store Name Before: Palmdale Kia
Store Name Now: Palmdale Kia (unchanged)
Transaction Date: Announced late June 2025 (via Performance Brokerage Services)
Don Franklin Auto Group scoops up Bowling Green Kia.
Don Franklin Auto Group has acquired Bowling Green Kia from Martin Management Group, strengthening its Kentucky presence. The deal adds to Kia’s momentum as one of the hottest brands for acquisitive dealers in 2025.
Quick facts:
Buyer: Don Franklin Auto Group
Seller: Martin Management Group
Store Name Before: Bowling Green Kia
Store Name Now: Bowling Green Kia (unchanged)
Transaction Date: Announced late June 2025 (via Performance Brokerage Services)
Toyota of Corona joins Mike Hong and Jerry Heuer’s portfolio.
Mike Hong and Jerry Heuer acquired a Southern California Toyota dealership from Asbury Automotive on June 9, renaming it Toyota of Corona. The store was part of Asbury’s 2021 Larry H. Miller acquisition, and the new owners see it as a chance to grow with one of retail’s most valuable franchises in a top-tier market.
Quick facts:
Buyer: Mike Hong and Jerry Heuer
Seller: Asbury Automotive Group
Store Name Before: Larry H. Miller Toyota Corona
Store Name Now: Toyota of Corona
Transaction Date: June 9, 2025
Lithia acquires Mercedes-Benz of Jackson.
Lithia Motors closed its purchase of Mercedes-Benz of Jackson from the Higginbotham family on June 2, continuing its Southeast expansion. The move gives Lithia a luxury anchor alongside its Toyota and GM operations in Mississippi.
Quick facts:
Buyer: Lithia Motors
Seller: Higginbotham family
Transaction Date: June 2, 2025
Store Name Before: Mercedes-Benz of Jackson
Store Name Now: Mercedes-Benz of Jackson (name retained)
Lithia picks up Mercedes-Benz of Collierville.
Lithia Motors also acquired Mercedes-Benz of Collierville as part of the same June 2 transaction. The Tennessee store bolsters Lithia’s luxury footprint in a key Southeast market.
Quick facts:
Buyer: Lithia Motors
Seller: Higginbotham family
Transaction Date: June 2, 2025
Store Name Before: Mercedes-Benz of Collierville
Store Name Now: Mercedes-Benz of Collierville (name retained)
Performance Auto Group acquires Fullerton Auto Group.
Performance Auto Group has acquired Fullerton Auto Group, a 50+ year fixture on Route 22 in Somerville, NJ, adding eight franchises and a prime location to its growing portfolio.
Quick facts:
Buyer: Performance Auto Group
Seller: Fullerton Auto Group (Albert DiFiore)
Transaction Date: June 2025
Store Name Before: Fullerton Auto Group
Store Name Now: Performance Auto Group (branding details not specified)
Franchises Included: Ford, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Maserati
MAY 2025
Paul LaFontaine grows Michigan footprint with CDJR acquisition.
Paul LaFontaine has acquired LaLonde Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Imlay City, MI, rebranding it as Imlay City Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and creating a multi-brand campus alongside the family’s existing Ford store.
Quick facts:
Buyer: Paul LaFontaine / LaFontaine Automotive Group
Seller: Tania LaLonde
Transaction Date: May 2025
Store Name Before: LaLonde Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Store Name Now: Imlay City Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Additional notes: The 35,000 sq. ft. facility joins LaFontaine’s Ford store nearby; upgrades include a new used car lot and repaved entryways.
Group 1 Automotive acquires 3 stores in Florida and Texas.
Group 1 Automotive has acquired three luxury dealerships: Lexus of Fort Myers, Acura of Fort Myers, and Mercedes-Benz of South Austin, boosting its cluster strategy in both regions.
Quick facts:
Buyer: Group 1 Automotive
Seller: Not disclosed
Transaction Date: May 2025
Store Names Before: Lexus of Fort Myers, Acura of Fort Myers, Mercedes-Benz of South Austin
Store Names Now: (Same names retained)
Additional notes: The stores are expected to add ~$330M in annual revenue, bringing Group 1 to 3 stores in Southwest Florida and 8 in Austin.
Zeigler Auto Group enters the Ferrari game with Lake Forest acquisition.
Zeigler Auto Group closed on its purchase of Ferrari Lake Forest from the Mancuso family in May 2025—marking its first step into the ultra-luxury segment. The 75,000-square-foot location, founded in 1981, also sells brands like Pagani, Koenigsegg, and Automobili Pininfarina.
Quick facts:
Buyer: Zeigler Auto Group
Seller: Mancuso family
Transaction Date: May 2025
Store Name Before: Ferrari Lake Forest
Store Name Now: Ferrari Lake Forest (name retained)
Additional notes: The store moves about 265 new/used Ferraris annually. It was described by CEO Aaron Zeigler as “by far the most we’ve ever paid for a single rooftop.” The Mancuso family will stay involved to help with the transition and future growth.
Boyd Automotive expands to NC coast with Kyle Busch as partner.
NASCAR star Kyle Busch has joined Boyd Automotive Group as part-owner of their newly acquired Chevy store in Kitty Hawk, NC. The deal brings celebrity power to the coastal market, as Boyd snaps up OBX Chevrolet from Victory Automotive Group.
Quick facts:
Buyer: Boyd Automotive Group (with Kyle Busch as partner)
Seller: Victory Automotive Group
Transaction Date: May 2025
Store Name Before: OBX Chevrolet
Store Name Now: Expected rebrand with Boyd name; not officially stated
Additional notes: Boyd plans to keep local staff in place and integrate inventory/resources across its three Chevy locations. The store has served the Outer Banks community for 20+ years.
Hoffman Auto Group expands in Vermont with Subaru and Hyundai buys.
Hoffman Auto Group has acquired Burlington Subaru and Burlington Hyundai from 802 Cars, adding two high-performing Vermont stores to its portfolio, per a recent press release.
Quick facts:
Buyer: Hoffman Auto Group
Seller: 802 Cars
Transaction Date: May 2025
Store Names Before: Burlington Subaru, Burlington Hyundai
Store Names Now: Likely to retain branding under Hoffman Auto Group umbrella
Additional notes: 802 Cars retains Berlin operations (802 Honda, 802 Toyota, 802 Subaru); Hoffman’s move taps into Burlington’s strong market and high loyalty brands.
Krause Auto Group doubles down on Florida with Volvo buy.
Krause Auto Group has acquired McGrath Volvo Cars of Fort Myers and its 9-acre property for $13.5 million, marking its fourth dealership in Lee County and continuing its expansion in South Florida.
Quick facts:
Buyer: Krause Auto Group
Seller: McGrath Automotive Group
Transaction Date: May 2025
Store Name Before: McGrath Volvo Cars of Fort Myers
Store Name Now: Volvo Cars Fort Myers
Additional notes: Showroom renovations are planned by early 2026; the move aligns with Krause’s strategy of pairing premium and volume brands for portfolio balance.
APRIL 2025
Jerry Seiner Auto enters California with Honda store.
Jerry Seiner Auto Group has entered California and added Honda to its brand portfolio with the purchase of Ocean Honda in San Juan Capistrano from Victory Automotive Group. The store now operates as Jerry Seiner Honda.
Quick facts:
Buyer: Jerry Seiner Auto Group
Seller: Victory Automotive Group
Transaction Date: April 2025
Store Name Before: Ocean Honda
Store Name Now: Jerry Seiner Honda
Additional notes: This marks Seiner’s first California dealership and first Honda franchise, as the group moves beyond its Utah and Nevada strongholds.
Pugmire Automotive scoops up two Southeast Ford stores.
Pugmire Automotive Group expanded its Ford footprint with two key acquisitions this spring — Pioneer Ford in Bremen, GA (now Pugmire Ford of Bremen) and Havana Ford in Havana, FL. The Havana deal capped off a negotiation more than six years in the making.
Quick facts:
Buyer: Pugmire Automotive Group
Sellers: Pioneer Ford (GA) & Havana Ford (FL)
Transaction Date: April 2025
Store Names Before: Pioneer Ford / Havana Ford
Store Names Now: Pugmire Ford of Bremen / Havana Ford (name unchanged)
Additional notes: DSMA, which brokered both deals, says Southeast dealership demand remains hot, driven by population growth, limited store supply, and eager regional buyers.
Golling Automotive Group adds Detroit-area CDJR store.
Golling Automotive Group has acquired Ray Laethem Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Detroit, now operating as Golling Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Grosse Pointe. The move adds a fourth Stellantis store and eighth total dealership to Golling’s Michigan portfolio.
Quick facts:
Buyer: Golling Automotive Group
Seller: Ray Laethem Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (Jeff Laethem)
Transaction Date: April 2025
Store Name Before: Ray Laethem Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Store Name Now: Golling Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Grosse Pointe
Additional notes: Seller Jeff Laethem retains Ray Laethem Buick GMC. The deal was brokered by Performance Brokerage Services.
MARCH 2025
Tony T Automotive Group returns to Houston with Gulfgate CDJR buy.
Tony Thomas, head of Tony T Automotive Group, has acquired Gulfgate Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep-Ram in Houston from industry veteran James Davis, rebranding it as Tony T Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Gulfgate.
Quick facts:
Buyer: Tony T Automotive Group
Seller: James Davis / Gulfgate Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep-Ram
Transaction Date: March 2025
Store Name Before: Gulfgate Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep-Ram
Store Name Now: Tony T Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Gulfgate
Additional notes: Davis retires after 23 years as a Stellantis dealer. Thomas previously worked at Gulfgate and returns after building his group across Arkansas and South Carolina.
Eide Automotive expands in North Dakota with Mandan buy.
Eide Automotive Group has acquired Chevrolet of Mandan and Subaru of Mandan from Foundation Automotive, rebranding the stores as Eide Chevrolet and Eide Subaru.
Quick facts:
Buyer: Eide Automotive Group
Seller: Foundation Automotive
Transaction Date: March 2025
Store Names Before: Chevrolet of Mandan, Subaru of Mandan
Store Names Now: Eide Chevrolet, Eide Subaru
Additional notes: The move brings Eide’s footprint to eight stores across North Dakota and Minnesota. Foundation says the sale supports its strategy to focus on core markets.
Lithia picks up Elk Grove Subaru, expands in California.
Lithia & Driveway has acquired Elk Grove Subaru in California, marking its second Subaru store purchase of 2025. The deal is expected to add around $100 million in annual revenue.
Quick facts:
Buyer: Lithia & Driveway
Seller: Not specified in public reports
Transaction Date: March 2025
Store Name Before: Elk Grove Subaru
Store Name Now: Elk Grove Subaru (no rebrand announced)
Additional notes: Lithia says the acquisition strengthens its Southwest presence and fits its strategy of partnering with high-performing brands like Subaru.
Jim Shorkey Auto Group grows again with Toyota of Greensburg buy.
Jim Shorkey Auto Group has acquired Toyota of Greensburg, adding to its growing Northeast footprint. The store strengthens Shorkey’s position in a Pittsburgh market where Toyota sales surged 15% in 2024.
Quick facts:
Buyer: Jim Shorkey Auto Group
Seller: Not specified in public reports
Transaction Date: March 2025
Store Name Before: Toyota of Greensburg
Store Name Now: Toyota of Greensburg (no rebrand announced)
Additional notes: The dealership is a six-time Toyota President’s Award winner and expands Shorkey’s network to 17 stores.
Van Tuyl snaps up Groove Subaru in Denver.
Larry Van Tuyl’s VT Companies has acquired Groove Subaru in Denver from Summit Automotive Partners, less than a month after buying Groove Toyota in Englewood. Both stores will keep the Groove branding.
Quick facts:
Buyer: VT Companies (Visionary Automotive Group)
Seller: Summit Automotive Partners
Transaction Date: March 2025
Store Name Before: Groove Subaru
Store Name Now: Groove Subaru (no rebrand announced)
Additional notes: This brings Van Tuyl’s group to 10 dealerships across AZ, TX, CA, and CO, as he steadily rebuilds his automotive empire.
FEBRUARY 2025
Asbury inks historic $1.34B Herb Chambers deal.
Asbury Automotive Group is acquiring 33 dealerships and 52 franchises from The Herb Chambers Companies in a $1.34 billion blockbuster deal—one of the largest in U.S. auto retail history.
Quick facts:
Buyer: Asbury Automotive Group
Seller: The Herb Chambers Companies
Transaction Date: Agreement signed February 2025; closing expected late Q2 2025
Store Name Before: Various Herb Chambers dealerships
Store Name Now: Expected to transition to Asbury branding (except Mercedes-Benz of Boston, which Herb retains)
Additional notes: Adds $2.9B in annual revenue; strengthens Asbury’s New England footprint; Herb Chambers stays on as Special Advisor.
