CARY, N.C. -

While a Maryland Lincoln dealer near the nation’s capital is in construction mode, a store manager with more than 20 years of industry experience purchased his own dealership on the West Coast.

Separate news releases detailed Alex Perdikis’ plans for a new Lincoln rooftop in Bethesda, Md., and Vikas Mehandroo fulfilling his goal of becoming a Ford dealer.

According to the announcement from Performance Brokerage Services, which was involved in the transaction, Mehandroo acquired Perry Ford in Poway, Calif., from Perry Automotive Group.

Performance highlighted that Mehandroo came to the United States 21 years ago and was introduced to the automotive industry as a salesman.

“He quickly realized that it wasn’t only about the cars, but about serving the people,” the firm said in the news release.

After selling cars for nine months, Mehandroo was promoted to finance manager where he stayed for the next four years until he became general manager.

Over the course of the next 12 years, Mehandroo served as general manager for multiple dealerships and franchises, including Toyota, Infiniti, CDJR, Nissan and Ford.

Performance indicated that Mehandroo decided he was ready for the next chapter in his career. In February, he made a commitment that he would be a dealer principal by the end of the year.

“It all started 10 months ago with a simple phone call to Performance Brokerage Services. The fact that Jason and Jesse Stopnitzky spent 50 minutes on the first phone call with a first-time purchaser told me they are the only people to do business with,” Mehandroo said in the news release.

When Performance Brokerage showed Mehandroo the Ford dealership in Poway, he claimed it was “love at first sight.”

Mehandroo added, “Ford is the greatest OEM, with a fantastic minority owner’s program.

“Jason Stopnitzky has been a guide, a friend, a mentor, and above all an inspiration to never give up,” Mehandroo continued. “From day one, Jason always made me feel at home and never made me realize this was my first deal. There are a lot of people in the market who will make you a deal, but only Performance Brokerage Services will take care of you like their own. I owe it to Jason for my first store, there is no way that I could have done it without him.”

Jason Stopnitzky gave this positive assessment of Mehandroo’s future.

“We wish Vikas Mehandroo much success with his first store and have no doubt that this is just the beginning for him. He does what he says and says what he means. It was a pleasure getting to know him through this process and we look forward to working with him again in the future,” Stopnitzky said.

Meanwhile for the Perry Automotive Group, it’s been a journey, too.

Perry Automotive Group purchased Perry Ford of Poway in 1996. As long-time Ford dealers in central California, co-owner Perry Falk acquired the Poway location and relocated his family to San Diego. The group consists of Perry CDJR and Perry Ford of National City, Perry Ford Lincoln and Perry Volkswagen of San Luis Obispo and Perry Ford of Santa Barbara.

Co-owner Deborah Falk said in the news release, “Selling a family business is hard enough, but selling a split-family business is extra difficult. Jason Stopnitzky of Performance Brokerage Services was a great intermediary for us and was very respectful of my interests. He listens to what you want and he finds the deal to make it happen. He exceeded my expectations.”

The dealership will remain at its current location at 12740 Poway Road in Poway and will be renamed Aaron Ford of Poway. According to the news release, the store is being named after Mehandroo’s son.

Perry Automotive Group was represented by James P. Barone of Ferruzzo & Ferruzzo LLP in Newport Beach, Calif.

Mehandroo was represented by the Law Office of Jason B. Cruz in Redlands, Calif.

New Lincoln store coming in Maryland

In the other news release distributed last week, Alex Perdikis, principal owner of Koons Lincoln of Silver Spring, has announced the expansion of his dealership holdings into downtown Bethesda with Koons Lincoln of Bethesda.

Perdikis highlighted the new dealership, housed in a multi-million-dollar state-of-the art facility will showcase Lincoln's luxury line of SUVs in the heart of Bethesda’s newly revitalized commercial and residential district.

Slated to open early in 2022, the new 4,300-square-foot dealership is set to be located at 7315 Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda. The rooftop will feature Lincoln Navigators, Aviators, and other models in an innovative street level storefront.

In addition, Perdikis said vehicles will be showcased to the public in an elegantly illuminated glass runway.

Designed to evoke a glass display case, Perdikis said the runway provides ample space for shoppers to browse Lincoln models and is an exciting exterior focal point of the Lincoln Boutique store.

Perdikis added that the dealership, designed by Bethesda-based Penney Design Group, will entice shoppers with additional amenities including a spacious modern lounge, coffee bar, private sales suites and more.

Perdikis mentioned that he was motivated to expand into the area by the resurgence of the Bethesda center city district, joining the revitalization effort that includes a full roster of new restaurants, shops and residential spaces.

“We’re excited to bring this destination Lincoln Boutique and new career opportunities to Bethesda,” Perdikis said. “We’re pleased to be a part of the development and growth of this emerging area. The new location provides a great opportunity for window shoppers to discover Lincoln's premium luxury brand. We invite everyone in the area to stop in for a cup of coffee and say hello.”

In addition, this location will include The Lincoln Black Label Suite, offering custom designer curated vehicle interiors and upgraded customer amenities. This space is designed to provide a quiet sanctuary where Black Label clients can explore the exclusive themes and offerings and make informed purchase decisions.

The new Bethesda Lincoln Boutique store will serve as an additional base for the Koons home shopping service, available for those who prefer the convenience of home shopping and test drives.

For added customer convenience, Koons Lincoln of Bethesda will offer a dedicated Lincoln mobile service van. Clients can have routine services completed at their home or office and forgo a trip to the dealership all together.

“In keeping with the legacy of the Lincoln brand, this location is true to that heritage while expressing the sleek modernity, design updates and technology that has come to define this very popular luxury brand,” Perdikis said.