AutoNation bets on FCA, smaller markets

AutoNation Inc. is on a shop-purchasing blitz that will make 2015 its largest acquisition yr since 1999 -- and it is not completed yet. With two deals announced a week ago, AutoNation is making forays into smaller marketplaces and picking up momentum with Fiat-Chrysler Vehicles manufacturers. The country 's biggest new-vehicle retailer is purchasing 13 shops in Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee from Carl Gregory Enterprises and three shops near Baltimore from Valley Motors Automotive Group. Calling the entire acquisition surroundings "rather favorable," AutoNation CEO Mike Jackson told Automotive News, "There Is a significant variety of willing vendors out there." AutoNation has several other offers under dialogue, he explained. While Jackson warned that it is never obvious such talks will get to the finish-line, he added: "I 'd be amazed if we didn't have another trade prior to the year has ended." The 16 shops signify more than $600 million in estimated yearly sales and can bring AutoNation's U.S. shop count to 253. At more than $480 million in sales, Carl Gregory will be AutoNation's largest sole acquisition since 2001. Carl Gregory shops sold about 16,750 new and used automobiles at retail last yr. The team is No. 113 on the Automotive News list of the best 150 car dealer groups centered in the United States as rated by new automobiles marketed at retail in 2014.

Kerrigan: More revenue on manner.

Carl Gregory's sale is a "harbinger of what is to come," Erin Kerrigan, a buy-sell advisor in Irvine, California, stated the other day in a a written report on the car dealer acquisition marketplace. "More big groups are visiting industry and effectively promoting their car dealers," Kerrigan stated. Those big groups, she called, could bring typical trade costs of about $200 million. By including six Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Rams shops, the Carl Gregory acquisition will improve AutoNation's depend with these manufacturers by one third. AutoNation now has 12 shops signifying all or a few of the brands. The offer will enlarge AutoNation's footprint in the South-East and consider the retailer in to smaller markets including Columbus, Ga.; Johnson City, Tenn.; and Auburn, Ala. "We adore the time to come with Fiatchrysler, especially the time to come with Jeep and Ram," Jackson stated. He means to seek more purchases including the Fiat-Chrysler brands. AutoNation's portfolio was light on these manufacturers. That's partially since the retailer offered or shut some Chrysler-manufacturer shops in earlier years when the shops fought, stated Alan Haig, a-one-time AutoNation executive who's now president of Haig Companions, a buy-market advisory company in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. "Therefore they are finding several of those brands grow quite quickly and believing 'We Are not getting our share of the increase,'" mentioned Haig, who symbolized Valley Motors in its offer with AutoNation.

Big offer, smaller cities

AutoNation's buy of 16 shops in 2 offers offers it mo Re Fiat-Chrysler-manufacturer shops and new places in smaller markets. From Carl Gregory Enterprises:What Where6 Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram shops Columbus, Ga. (2); Albany, Ga.; Johnson City, Tenn.; Savannah, Ga.; Brunswick, Ga.2 Fiat showrooms* Columbus, Ga.; Johnson City, Tenn.2 Ford-Lincoln shops Auburn, Ala.; Fort Payne, Ala.1 Honda shop Columbus, Ga.3 Hyundai shops Columbus, Ga.; Brunswick, Ga.; Albany, Ga.1 Volkswagen shop Columbus, Ga.From Valley Motors:Mercedes Benz, Audi, Subaru-VW shops Cockeysville, Md. *Not different rooftopsSource: AutoNation

In April, AutoNation purchased a Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep Ram shop in Valencia, California, that it'd possessed previously and sold. Jackson mentioned that AutoNation has consistently meant to complete its footprint by growing into smaller markets. It's has already established shops in smaller markets including Amarillo, Tx, and Spokane, Wash., for a while. "We are really good at executing in these marketplaces," he said. AutoNation continues its method of getting a portfolio that's one third local brands, onethird import manufacturers and onethird high-end brands, Jackson stated. The Carl Gregory and Valley Motors offers mainly foster the national and high-end sections of the portfolio. The offers are anticipated to shut in October. The three Valley Motors shops joined sell Mercedes Benz, Audi, Subaru and Volkswagen automobiles in the Baltimore suburb of Cockeysville, Md. They created $129 million in sales and sold about 2,900 new and used automobiles at retail in 2014. Jackson continues to be talking about locating acquisitions in the Baltimore-D.C., area since 2011. Following the deal closes, AutoNation will have 10 shops because marketplace. Prior to the two new offers, AutoNation's 2015 buys totaled five shops with combined yearly sales of $320 million. Through the 1st half, it was the second-most energetic on the list of public car dealer groups after Group 1 Automotive Inc., Haig stated, but the newest offers probably will place it in the direct, barring same moves from Team 1. AutoNation's introduced and pending offers for 2015 now represent approximately $929 million in additional annual sales. That is its largest total since 1999 and double last-year's rate. AutoNation's 2014 buys had mixed yearly sales of $450 million.

It's possible for you to reach Amy Wilson at [email protected].

Labels:
Dealers
AutoNation
Retail

Purchase/Sell

Car dealers

Marketing

Read Source

23.08.2015
ID:2708

More news from this source:

1. Tell us about retail high achievers under 40
2. Suits target price-fixing parts makers
3. Soaring on the wings of the snowbirds
4. Volvo recalls 59,000 cars over software fault
5. Hyundai Ioniq targets Prius, but not in sales