In what appears to be a growing pattern, a Canadian dealer group has expanded its presence in the U.S. through acquisition.

Steele Auto Group, headquartered Nova Scotia, said Tuesday it has purchased North Start Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in San Antonio.

Steele has 56 new-car stores and seven used-car stores. Based in Atlantic Canada, it moved into the Texas market in February 2020 and now operates seven dealerships in the state.

North Star Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, which is set to be become Steele North Star CJDR San Antonio, will join Luling Chevrolet, Steele Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM Gonzales, Steele Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM Lockhart, Steele Hyundai Kyle, Steele Hyundai New Braunfels and, Steele South Loop Hyundai.

“We are pleased to welcome North Star Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram to the Group. With our recent growth in the US and Texas, the decision to expand into San Antonio was an easy one,” Steele Auto Group president and chief operating officer Kim Day said in a news release.

“With five other dealerships in the Austin–San Antonio corridor, we know this market and we are very happy with the results thus far.”

In June, Steele purchased Sterling McCall Hyundai South Loop from Group 1 Automotive and renamed it Steele South Loop Hyundai.

Meanwhile, The Dilawri Group of Companies announced in June it purchased Ferrari of Washington and Maserati of Washington, giving the dealership group a presence in D.C. and its first U.S. stores.

AutoCanada added its first-ever Stellantis dealership in the U.S. with the purchase of Crystal Lake Chrysler Jeep Doge Ram in the Chicago area.

On the flip side of that cross-border M&A, Lithia & Driveway, which expanded into Canada last year with the purchase of Toronto’s Pfaff Automotive Partners,  increased its Canadian footprint with a purchase announced in May as it acquired Thornhill, Ontario-based Sisley Honda.

Foundation Automotive, which is based in Houston and has stores in both the U.S. and Canada (but mostly U.S.), has entered Tennessee and purchased its first Nissan dealership, as the retailer said earlier this month it has acquired Jones Motor Company and its four dealerships.

The deal also brings the Jones group’s used-car platform into Foundation’s dealerships.

The acquired dealerships are located in the Savannah and Humboldt-Jackson areas of Tennessee and include Jones Buick GMC, Jones Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Jones Chevrolet Humboldt and Jones Nissan.