Dealer news: 1st female dealer principal for Alabama store; acquisition in Canada
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Taylor Bentley Conner is the new dealer principal of Howard Bentley Buick GMC after six successful years as the dealership's general manager. Photo courtesy of Howard Bentley Buick GMC.
Taylor Bentley Conner has opened another door for women.
The general manager of Howard Bentley Buick GMC in Albertville, Ala., is now the first female dealer principal in the company’s history.
Conner had served as the dealership’s GM since 2018 and began pursuing application for dealer principal with General Motors as her role evolved. During her tenure as GM, Howard Bentley Buick GMC rose to No. 1 in sales among GM dealerships in Alabama and third in the Southeast region. It has been named a GM Dealer of the Year, honoring the top 1% of the automaker’s locations, every year since 2015.
“Female leadership in the automotive industry has not traditionally reflected today’s buying consumer,” Conner said. “Thanks to my father, mother, grandfather and grandmother for opening doors, paired with hard work and determination, I am so grateful to be in this role today.
“In addition to leading an incredible team in continually growing Howard Bentley Buick GMC, I’m committed to furthering opportunities for women, including my own young daughter.”
Women represent just over 21% of car dealership employees, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and a 2023 study by S&P Global study shows women hold just 29% of management roles across all industries.
Conner is the granddaughter of Howard Bentley, a NASA alumnus who founded the Buick GMC in 1983 in Fayetteville, Tenn. Howard’s son Wayne Bentley, who took over as owner/operator of the dealership in 1988, will now move into an owner/advisory role as his daughter takes on the dealer principal position while continuing as acting GM.
Wayne Bentley said Conner “has brought innovative ideas into our dealership since she started working full-time in August 2013. Those ideas and updated methods of doing business have truly reinvigorated our company’s path to growth over the past decade.
“I know her grandfather and grandmother would be exceedingly proud of her accomplishments as much as her mother and I. Taylor has truly embraced our company’s vision to take care of our employees, customers and our community. I know our dealership is in good hands for the future, which gives me great satisfaction that our legacy will be carried on under Taylor’s leadership.”
Conner grew up in the family business and held various roles before venturing out to pursue a marketing career. Since her return, the company said in a news release, “she has devised and implemented bold productivity models that have expanded the dealership to customers across the nation while continually carrying over the family’s distinct commitment of providing service to exceed the customer’s expectation.”
UpAuto acquires Ontario GM dealership
Michael Carmichael of UpAuto has acquired Canadian dealership Searles Motor Products from Don Searles, according to Performance Brokerage Services, which represent the seller in the deal.
The dealership in Ingersoll, Ontario, will be renamed Ingersoll Chevrolet Buick GMC.
Carmichael, UpAuto’s president and CEO, is a fourth-generation legacy in the auto industry who at age 7 began accompanying his father to the dealership on Saturdays to ride on the parts conveyor belt and has been working in dealerships for 30 years.
In 2016, he sold City Buick Chevrolet Cadillac — his family’s business — and created UpAuto to acquire, operate and impact dealerships and communities in non-metro markets. UpAuto now operates six dealership locations in Ontario.
“I appreciate the work Don Searles and the Searles family have invested in creating an outstanding dealership, and we look forward to building on their foundation for many years to come,” Carmichael said. “As a fourth-generation Carmichael in the automotive industry, I understand the importance of operating with the same focus and care as a family-owned dealership. Our focus with each of our stores is to ensure they are deeply rooted in their local communities and committed to serving.”