Automotive News - March 24, 2008 - (Page 35)

MARCH 24, 2008 • 35 Chrysler’s Project Genesis wins over Ore. dealer Ryan Beene rbeene@crain.com Franchise: Lincoln-Mercury This Automotive News feature lists recent dealership acquisitions as reported by brokers, official announcements and news media. Seller: Todd Tennant Location: Pendleton, Ore. Franchises: Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep Old name: Round-Up City DodgeChrysler-Jeep New name: Gilbert Chrysler-JeepDodge of Oregon Old name: Rouen Lincoln-Mercury New name: Brondes Ford-LincolnMercury Maumee More: Brondes is a third-generation family-owned car dealership with locations in Maumee and Toledo. Location: Bennington, Vt. Franchises: Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, Cadillac Old name: Morrison Sales and Service New name: Nemer Chevrolet-BuickPontiac-Cadillac Sellers: James Welborne and Thomas Shelton Location: Statesville, N.C. Franchise: Nissan Old name: Nissan of Statesville New name: Sheehy Nissan of Statesville More: Including the Nissan store, which sells 100 new or used vehicles annually, Sheehy Auto Stores has 21 franchises in 15 locations. Dealership Buy/Sell: We invite news items about dealership sales and acquisitions. Here’s what we need from you: Name of seller Name, city and state of buyer Name, city and state of dealership being sold, including name change Franchises involved Name of broker if applicable Size of dealership (annual unit sales or sales revenue) Transaction price if possible Any other relevant information Your telephone number or e-mail address E-mail items to: rjohnson@crain.com Or send them to: Dealership Buy/Sell Managing Editor Automotive News 1155 Gratiot Ave. Detroit, MI 48207-2997 Chrysler LLC’s retail consolidation program, Project Genesis, aims to persuade some dealers to give up their franchises. But the program encouraged one dealer to acquire a dealership Gilbert Auto Group Inc. owns seven new-vehicle dealerships in Washington and Oregon. CEO Mark Gilbert says a conversation with Chrysler co-President Jim Press about Project Genesis provided the impetus he needed to buy a Dodge-ChryslerJeep dealership in Pendleton, Ore. Gilbert was negotiating to buy the dealership when he attended a meeting of Chrysler dealers with Press early this year. Gilbert says Press encouraged the acquisition, telling him Project Genesis aims to persuade dealers to operate stores that sell all three of the company’s brands. “The encouragement I got from Jim Press is kind of what put me over the top,” Gilbert says. “I was kind of on the fence.” Dagesse/Diver Buyer: Dan Dagesse Seller: Clifford Diver Jr. Location: Lewes, Del. Franchises: Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, GMC Old name: CP Diver Chevrolet-BuickPontiac-GMC New name: Lewes Auto Mall Sage/Sonic Automotive Buyer: Joseph Sage Seller: Sonic Automotive Inc. Location: West Covina, Calif. Franchises: Toyota, Scion Broker: National Business Brokers Inc. Name: West Covina Toyota-Scion Asbury Automotive/ Gresham Buyer: Asbury Automotive Group Inc. Seller: Jerry Gresham Location: Roswell, Ga. Franchises: Toyota, Scion Old name: Toyota of Roswell New name: Nalley Toyota of Roswell, Nalley Scion of Roswell More: The two franchises generate about $100 million in annual revenue. Harr/Betera Buyer: Harr Motor Group Seller: Betera Auto Group Location: Worcester, Mass. Franchises: Chrysler, Jeep Old name: Bancroft Chrysler-Jeep New name: Harr Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge More: Harr Motor Group also sells Toyota, Scion and Ford vehicles in Worcester. Sell/Haupt Buyer: Mike Sell Seller: Dean Haupt Location: San Luis Obispo, Calif. Franchises: Pontiac, Buick, GMC, Hyundai, Subaru Name: Rancho Grande Motors Brondes/Rouen Gilbert Auto Group/Tennant Buyer: Gilbert Auto Group Inc. Buyer: Brondes Ford Maumee Seller: Rouen Lincoln-Mercury Location: Maumee, Ohio Nemer/Smith Buyer: Robert and Peter Nemer Seller: Ed Smith Sheehy and Higham/ Welborne and Shelton Buyers: Vince Sheehy and Michael Higham “WE HAVE SEEN A 400 PERCENT GROWTH IN INTERNET SALES.” Jason Mattia Partner–Kuni Automotive Santa Clara, CA It’s hard to argue with 400%. And you won’t hear a peep from Jason. He knows the importance of AutoTrader.com and what it means to his numbers. He knows the value of having his cars listed on all of our partner sites like MSN Autos and KBB.com. PROOF IT WORKS And Jason knows just how beneﬁcial the tools we have for dealers can be, like our spotlight ads that place all his cars at the top of every single page. Of course, when sales are up 400%, it’s hard not to see the positives. You should see for yourself. http://AutoTrader.com http://KBB.com http://AutoTrader.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - March 24, 2008

Ford lists 6 to succeed Mulally GM pushes luxury superstores Industry straps in for rough ride Bob Irvin is a worthy addition to Hall of Fame Debate at Scion: How to grow Ford moves executives in Asia to new jobs CEO of lanelogic: We're still here Kia's N.Y. duo Chrysler's exec trio: Reports of friction mostly fiction Where others see gloom, Honda chief sees boom in U.S. Fukui: Nickel battery is best bet for hybrid Beijing conference explores key issues in China market Planworks keeps its role as buyer for GM ads Lincoln: MKS will make up for brand's slow start in '08 Deal's no big deal: Styling top reason to buy GM Penske's Smart start: He'd like 15,000 more Dodge's pitch for Challenger: A halo that you can afford Chrysler plans 'We listen' ads You go, Bob With zest, activist Ditlow remains on lemon patrol Autos did the job after 9/11; don't bet on that now Chinese cars? Dealer beware Solar power is the only answer Where will we get power for the Volt? Want higher CAFE? First, do this In N. California, hybrids are hot Detroit 3 can learn from the Marlboro Man The Prius is a phenomenon Wait 3 years, then judge Ford How many Jeeps will India buy? Lithia looks into improper sales reports at dealerships AutoNation's lead shrinks as largest U.S. dealer group Honda ad agency creates unit to build Acura brand Study: Consistent theme in auto ads builds viewer recall Big-truck sales continue slide in Feb. -- off 27.1% MazdaSpeed revs up racing accessory sales Calif. company eyes electric charging stations for Volt, Vue Indictment: Bribe scheme cost GM $83.3 million The greening of Toyota dealerships 6 more finalists in race for PACE recognition Tenneco expands Japanese work, seeks more Bosch buys diagnostic equipment firm in China JV will design vehicle platforms Citation moves headquarters NxtGen tests emissions system VW stake may help Porsche on fuel economy rules Chrysler's Project Genesis wins over Ore. dealer Germany, new EU members send up European sales Saturn will choose store system soon VW thinks modular for flexibility at auto plants Automakers eager as axles turn high-tech Talking drivetrains with American Axle Dollar halts U.S. retail sales of Audi Q7 hybrid Hyundai: Genesis Coupe offers more go for dough Maxima's target: Luxury Euro makes Pontiac adds 3 sporty variants Outsider Elmer Johnson shook up GM Importer Yanase was Hall of Fame member Obituaries Redesigned TSX has many Acura firsts Dealers Certified sales up 7.5% in Feb.; Audi leads the way eBay's new Web site has new look, more features Big pickups and SUVs lead plunge in used-vehicle prices Ex-Reynolds CEO O'Neill joins J.D. Power Auto Hall of Fame will induct 8 Liberatore looks beyond Daimler Molina gets the top job at GMAC F&I pioneer Pat Ryan to retire from Aon Study: Hydrogen research worth the cost Gulf States trial halted As yuan rises, so do prices of Chinese parts Personnel exec Laymon: Ford still seeking outside talent GE gives supplier credit Dana CEO wants Asian growth Tesla launches production Todt steps down as Ferrari CEO Union pursues Toyota effort Chrysler offers spiffs for military Land Rover ads focus on heritage Mark Rechtin Fresh heir: To turn green, must BMW create brand? GM ponders mini-muscle Camaro New Ford ads coming in April With a spiffier image, Lincoln would rock abroad Rival says Nardelli's OK Ford hails its cab, but mpg is an issue

Automotive News - March 24, 2008

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