LaFontaine Automotive Group expands in metro Detroit

LaFontaine Automotive Group added another metro Detroit dealership, its second acquisition of the year in Michigan.

The Highland, Mich., group on Monday purchased Lou LaRiche Chevrolet in Plymouth, Mich., from Scott LaRiche and the LaRiche family, LaFontaine spokesman Max Muncey confirmed to Automotive News.

CEO Ryan LaFontaine said in a statement that his family had known the LaRiche family for years, calling the deal "a perfect match."

"With a key location in metro Detroit, we are very optimistic for the future growth of this dealership and see it quickly rising through the ranks to be one of General Motors' top Chevrolet retail locations in the United States," LaFontaine said in the statement.

Scott LaRiche, vice president of the store, said in a statement that his family had owned the dealership for more than 50 years.

"It was very important to my family to find another family-focused company that is aligned on our values and culture to carry on our legacy, and we found just that with the LaFontaine family," LaRiche said.

LaFontaine Automotive Vice President Kelley LaFontaine will be dealer operator of the store, now named LaFontaine Chevrolet of Plymouth, and Keith Davey is general manager.

Monday's acquisition comes a little over two months from LaFontaine's Jan. 9 purchase of the former Pfeiffer Lincoln in Grand Rapids, Mich., its second western Michigan dealership.

LaFontaine in August 2022 purchased the former Keller Ford, also in Grand Rapids. In October, it added a fifth Ford store in St. Clair, Mich. The purchases last year followed an acquisitive 2021 that added five stores to the growing auto retailer's portfolio.

LaFontaine now has 54 franchises selling 24 brands, all in Michigan. LaFontaine said it projects that it will sell more than 55,000 combined used and new vehicles in 2023.

LaFontaine Automotive ranks No. 33 on Automotive News' most recent list of the top 150 dealership groups based in the U.S., retailing 24,399 new vehicles in 2021.