The Dave Cantin Group has sold two of its businesses in a move to narrow its focus.

The automotive mergers and acquisitions advisory company said Biltmore Automotive Services, a management consulting and service provider to auto industry investors and financial firms, has acquired two of DCG’s lines of business: DCG Capital and the Ownership Accelerator Program.

In a news release, The Dave Cantin Group said negotiations for the deal began last month during the 2024 National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers conference. Financial terms were not disclosed.

“Biltmore is combining the DCG divisions that cater to first-time dealership buyers with its own Path to Ownership program for first-time buyers as DCG further concentrates its focus on advising the nation’s top 500 dealership groups on growth strategies, platform management, acquisitions and divestitures,” DCG president and CEO Dave Cantin said.

“DCG Capital and OAP are important programs, and there’s no better home for them going forward than Biltmore.”

DCG said it has worked together with Biltmore to advise first-time auto dealers for more than three years, adding the companies’ programs have guided non-owner professionals from automotive and other industries through the process of negotiating with existing dealer principals, securing capital and fulfilling manufacturer requirements for franchise ownership.

The programs, DCG said, have enabled the acquisitions of more than 50 dealerships nationwide with combined transaction values of nearly $500 million.

“DCG Capital and OAP are great fits for our boutique firm,” said Biltmore partner Tim Devine, a former executive for Hyundai Capital, Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp., and Daimler Financial. “Automakers are looking to companies like ours to help identify new, qualified dealers, including minority and female candidates. We have a broad network of banks, lenders and firms we work with to help those buyers successfully identify and close on their first new-car dealerships.”

Ivan Rascanin and Frank O’Donnell are other partners in Savannah, Ga.-based Biltmore, which also provides ongoing automotive expertise and financial services to dealership owners.

As part of the transaction, DCG managing director Jim Duffy is moving to Biltmore, as the DCG first-time-buyer divisions integrate into Biltmore’s Path to Ownership program.

“DCG is proud to have created and nurtured those innovative programs into the strong and impactful business lines they are today,” Cantin said, “It’s critical for the industry that great people get the support they need to become new dealers, and Biltmore will make sure that support exists.”