Chevy, Audi, Stellantis and Ford dealerships trade hands in 4 states

Two of the country's largest dealership groups made first-quarter purchases while two other growing groups on the East Coast also made early 2023 acquisitions.

Here's a look at the deals involving domestic and luxury brands and stores in Missouri, California, North Carolina and New York.

Two transactions involved auto retailers ranked on Automotive News' list of the top 150 dealership groups.

Ed Morse Automotive expands in Missouri

Ed Morse Automotive Group made its first acquisition of 2023 with the purchase of a Chevrolet store in February.

Ed Morse Automotive bought Putnam Chevrolet in California, Mo., southwest of Columbia, from dealer Bill Campbell on Feb. 6, Teddy Morse, CEO of Ed Morse Automotive, confirmed to Automotive News.

The dealership was renamed Ed Morse Chevrolet California.

The acquisition bolsters the group's presence in Missouri, a state it first entered in May 2021, to six dealerships.

The deal was the group's first auto dealership acquisition since March 2022 when it bought three stores in Iowa, Teddy Morse said.

In August, the group entered the motorcycle and powersports business with the purchase of four Texas dealerships, he said. Ed Morse Automotive also bought a Harley-Davidson dealership in Florida in November.

Ed Morse Automotive, of Delray Beach, Fla., ranks No. 52 on Automotive News' most recent list of the top 150 dealership groups based in the U.S., retailing 14,832 new vehicles in 2022.

Del Grande Dealer Group acquires new brand

Del Grande Dealer Group bought its first Audi dealership in a first-quarter acquisition in California.

Del Grande, of San Jose, Calif., on Jan. 25 bought Audi Modesto, south of Sacramento, from Findlay Automotive Group.

The dealership name remains.

"Adding Modesto Audi as our first Audi store at DGDG not only adds another premium brand to our group but also fits perfectly into our continued growth strategy in Northern California," said Del Grande Chairman Shaun Del Grande in a statement. "This new dealership complements our existing portfolio and helps expand the DGDG footprint."

It marks Del Grande Dealer Group's first acquisition since it bought a Honda dealership in Salinas, Calif., in February 2022, CEO Jeremy Beaver confirmed to Automotive News.

Del Grande ranks No. 60 on Automotive News' list of the top 150 dealership groups, retailing 13,853 new vehicles in 2022. Findlay Automotive, of Henderson, Nev., ranks No. 20 on that list with sales of 27,738 new vehicles in 2022.

Team Automotive enters new state

Team Automotive Group of Charlotte, N.C., expanded beyond the state for the first time with a February purchase.

Team Automotive on Feb. 1 bought Addy's Harbor Dodge-Ram-Fiat in Myrtle Beach, S.C., from Mike Addy, Kristin Dillard, president of Team Automotive Group, confirmed to Automotive News in an email.

The dealership was renamed Team Dodge-Ram-Fiat of Myrtle Beach.

"Although growing our footprint is an integral part of our strategic plan, growing our team with the right people has always been a priority," Dillard said in a statement. "We are fortunate to partner with such a talented group of people as we take our first drive into South Carolina."

It marks Team's first acquisition since it bought a Stellantis store in Morganton, N.C., in December 2021, Dillard confirmed.

Andy Gill, CEO of Gill Automotive Group, a sell-side firm in St. Augustine, Fla., represented Addy in the transaction.

Maguire Family of Dealerships expands again in New York

Maguire Family of Dealerships entered another New York market after acquiring Shepard Bros Inc., a Ford dealership in Canandaigua.

Brothers Ted and Tom Shepard sold their only dealership to the Ithaca, N.Y., group on March 15, according to Maguire group President Phil Maguire.

"They did a wonderful job with the store for many years," Maguire told Automotive News. "They are both retiring, so it's a happy moment for everyone."

Maguire said the brothers' father and his twin brother opened the store in the early 1950s before eventually selling it to Ted and Tom.

"We just feel very, very fortunate to be able to kind of pick up where they're leaving off and hopefully carry on the legacy," Maguire said. "It's a great store operationally."

Maguire complimented the dealership's staff, saying some have worked there for more than 30 years. Janet Yaekel, Maguire's sister, will join the dealership's executive management team following her retirement from teaching this year, Maguire said.

"It's a real treat to be able to have a family member that's rooted in the lives of the community, also come be a part of the business," Maguire said of Yaekel, a longtime Canandaigua resident.
Renamed Maguire Ford of Canandaigua, the store represents the group's first foray in New York's greater Rochester area, Maguire said. Canandaigua is southeast of Rochester.

The group in October entered the greater Buffalo market when it purchased three dealerships from Billy Fuccillo Jr. of Fuccillo Automotive Group.

Maguire's parents, Tim and Fran Maguire, started the company in 1977 with a Ford dealership they opened in Trumansburg, N.Y. Maguire said his father's automotive career included a multiyear stint working for Ford Motor Co. The group now owns more than 15 dealerships in New York.