Driving the news: Patriot Automotive Group sold its Nissan dealership in Salem, New Hampshire to brothers James and Erik Kirste in a deal that closed June 2.
For context: Adam Arens, owner of Patriot Automotive Group, divested the Nissan store while keeping his Subaru and Acura dealerships in Maine and Massachusetts. The Kirste brothers previously operated a Ford dealership in Vermont before moving into the New Hampshire market, according to The Presidio Group, which facilitated the deal.
Why it matters: Given Nissan's current market position, two schools of thought are emerging. One side believes the juice isn't worth the squeeze for this brand, while others think Nissan can only go up from here and now is the chance to snag a good deal on a franchise. The Kirstes clearly fall into the latter camp, betting on Nissan's potential upside rather than focusing on its current struggles.
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