Driving the news: Sutherlin Automotive Group has acquired McKenna Subaru in Huntington Beach, California, marking the group's first location in the state and one of the largest transactions to date for a single-point Subaru store, according to deal advisors Pinnacle Mergers & Acquisitions.
For context: This acquisition brings Sutherlin's portfolio to four stores, including Lexus of Montgomery and Toyota of Montgomery in Alabama as well as Sutherlin Subaru in Tennessee. Owner and CEO Brett Sutherlin is relocating to Orange County and basing his office at the new Subaru store.
What they're saying: "This is more than an acquisition—it's a statement of intent," said Sutherlin. "Southern California is the most powerful car market in the country—and Huntington Beach offers both the scale and the potential to redefine what a Subaru dealership can be.”
Brett Sutherlin
“We didn't come here to participate. We came here to lead—and we will make this the #1 Subaru dealership in America. That means setting a new bar for sales volume, but more importantly, delivering a customer experience that sets the standard for the industry" he added.
What's next: Sutherlin plans to transform the 7-acre Beach Boulevard location (the largest dealership site in the area for any brand) into what he's calling the largest Subaru dealership in the United States.
The company intends to double the service and parts department capacity, stock over 300 new Subarus and 250 used vehicles, and roll out customer-first tech like mobile service and pickup-and-delivery.
Veteran Subaru executive Eric Brower, who more than doubled sales at Sutherlin Subaru in Knoxville, Tennessee, will lead the operation.
The expansion is expected to create over 75 jobs across sales, service, and support teams.
Big picture: According to Sutherlin, this acquisition is just the beginning of the group’s expansion into California, and additional deals are already being evaluated.
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