FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -

In a deal announced Tuesday morning, AutoNation will expand its presence in the Lone Star State to 50 franchises.

The retailer said it has signed agreements to acquire Audi, Porsche and three Volkswagen stores in the Dallas market from Boardwalk Auto Group, and Spring Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in the Houston market.

Together, these stores are expected to sell more than 14,000 new and used retail units in 2012, with approximately $575 million of revenue.

Detailing more about these stories, AutoNation noted that the Boardwalk Auto Group was founded by Scott Ginsburg.

Located in Plano, Texas, Boardwalk Audi received the 2011 Audi Magna Society Award and is in the top 20 in the U.S. for Audi new-vehicle volume year-to-date.

Boardwalk Porsche, also in Plano, received the Porsche Premier Dealership Award for 2012, and is in the top 10 nationwide for Porsche new vehicle volume year-to-date, AutoNation said. 

The three Boardwalk Volkswagen stores that are part of the deal include Park Cities Volkswagen in Dallas, Boardwalk Volkswagen in Richardson, and McKinney Volkswagen, which opened in late 2009.

Once the acquisition is completed, AutoNation will own and operate 19 franchises in the Dallas-Fort Worth market.

“We will be pleased to add the Boardwalk Audi, Porsche and Volkswagen stores to our high-performing Dallas-Fort Worth platform,” said Mike Jackson, AutoNation chairman and chief executive officer. “The franchises are in attractive automotive retail locations, and the acquisition will enhance our brand mix in the Dallas-Fort Worth market.

“The product cycles from Audi, Porsche and Volkswagen are some of the most exciting in the industry,” Jackson said. “We also look forward to welcoming the Boardwalk customers and 350 associates into the AutoNation family and expanding our representation of the Audi, Porsche and Volkswagen brands.”

Boardwalk Group founder Ginsburg said, “I am extremely pleased to put this transaction together with AutoNation. It was important for me to secure the future of these automotive dealerships, and I am also excited for our associates, who have been a key part of our success in building a premier automotive retail business in the Dallas market, as they will have outstanding career opportunities with AutoNation going forward.

“The stores will continue to be led by Ken Ambrose, who will be joining AutoNation’s operations,” Ginsburg said. “At the conclusion of this transaction, Boardwalk Auto Group will continue to own and operate Boardwalk Ferrari, Boardwalk Maserati, Lamborghini of Dallas, Ferrari of San Francisco and Maserati of San Francisco.”

Houston Market  

Spring Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, located in Houston, Texas, is the highest new vehicle volume Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram dealer in the Texas market and is No. 4 in the United States, AutoNation said. It is currently owned by Alfred Flores and Bruce Glascock, both formerly of the McCombs Auto Group.  

Upon completion of the Spring CJDR acquisition, AutoNation will own and operate 17 franchises in the Houston market.

AutoNation’s Jackson said, “Spring CJDR will be an excellent addition to our brand mix in the Houston market, another high-performing market for AutoNation. This will enable us to serve a broader customer base in Houston and will expand AutoNation’s representation of Chrysler products. We look forward to welcoming the Spring customers and approximately 160 associates into the AutoNation family.”  

AutoNation noted that the transactions are subject to customary terms and conditions, including manufacturer approval.