Jerry Seiner Auto Group has expanded to California and added its first Honda store.

The dealer group has purchased Ocean Honda of San Juan Capistrano in Orange County, Calif., from Victory Automotive Group, according to a news release from Pinnacle Mergers & Acquisitions, which represented the seller.

Victory Automotive CEO Jeffrey Cappo said in the release, “This was a strategic sale as we acquired two Honda stores in Indiana that we feel are a better fit for our company as we continue to grow.”

Jerry Seiner Auto Group also owns stores in Nevada and Utah. The group made headlines earlier this year when it sold a Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram store in Arizona to Carvana.

As for the latest purchase, Jerry Seiner Dealerships CEO Chris Hemmersmeier said, “We are thrilled to partner with Honda and excited about this opportunity. I appreciated the chance to work on this transaction with the Victory Automotive Group and the Pinnacle Team. From the time I was first contacted through the final closing, Mike Sims and Wes Hamilton were true professionals. I look forward to working with them on future acquisitions.”

Chasing the sun

When it comes to powering its dealerships, Kowalis Auto Group shoots for the stars.

Or rather one star in particular: the sun.

Commemorating Earth Day, the Chicagoland dealer group said Tuesday it has completed a three-year solar energy conversion project, installing 2,200 solar panels across the roofs of three dealerships (Orland Toyota, Lexus of Orland, and Lexus of Merrillville).

The group said the panels are designed to generate enough electricity to offset a 41.1% average reduction in grid usage, producing an average of 991,600 kWh of electricity each year. The latter is equivalent to saving 17,9000 trees, the group claims.

These efforts continue similar steps by Kowalis in the last decade, including the usage of energy-efficient LED lighting technologies and eco-conscious practices in the service department.

“Completing the solar power array further advances the Kowalis Auto Group toward achieving the goal of becoming as energy efficient and environmentally friendly as possible,” the group said in a news release. “The family owned dealership group is proud to prioritize the preservation of the environment for future generations.”