AUBURN, Maine — Lee Auto Malls, a 73-year-old family dealership group, recently acquired the assets of Linnehan's Credit Now and Atlantic Acceptance Corp. to create one of the largest used-vehicle operations in the state.

Lee already operates 12 franchise stores primarily in southern and western Maine. The nameplates include Toyota, Scion, Honda, Nissan, GMC, Cadillac, Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep.

The deal adds Linnehan's locations, a total of eight buy-here, pay-here operations that are located in the northern and central parts of the state. Linnehan is a family operation, having been in business since 1950.

Adam Lee, president of Lee Auto Malls, shared his enthusiasm about the acquisition.

"We are very pleased to be able to make this acquisition for our company," said Lee, who already had stores in Auburn, Augusta, Lewiston, Newport, Norway, Saco, Topsham, Westbrook and Windham.

"We have known the Linnehans and their organization for many years, dating back to when my father, Shep, used to do business with John Linnehan Sr.," he recalled.

"As friendly competitors, we have admired their successes over the years, and we really feel like this is a great fit for both organizations," Lee added.

Don Lee, president of Lee Auto Mall's location in Westbrook, described how transaction with Linnehan was orchestrated.

"The negotiation process went very smoothly, and we are excited to be retaining all of their very talented executive team to help ensure that this merger is nothing but positive for everyone involved, especially the thousands of customers," Lee noted.

Lee's chief executive officer John Isaacson offered more details about how the company will operate the former Linnehan stores in Bangor, Brewer, Oakland, Lincoln, Westbrook, Auburn, Presque Isle and Ellsworth.

"We are planning on keeping the eight existing locations under the Credit Now brand, and retaining the existing employees, so it really should be business as usual," Isaacson explained.

John Linnehan Jr., chief operating officer of the family dealership operation, said the company decided to combine with Lee because the senior Linnehan plans to devote more time to his ministry work.

"In order to fully pursue my passion to share the Gospel, I felt I needed to find a new owner for my business interests, and the first organization I thought of was the Lee group," Linnehan said.

"I thought then, and it has been confirmed in our recent dealings with them, that they are a first class organization, managed by competent, compassionate leaders, that will continue to treat our customers and our associates in the quality manner for which we have always strived," he went on to mention.

"I know they have exciting plans for taking the foundation we have established and moving it to the next level, and I am excited to see the great things in store for the people of Maine as a result of this merger," Linnehan added.