A major dealership group just got a little bigger.

Keating Auto Group, one of the largest dealers in Texas, has acquired Buckalew Chevrolet in Conroe, Texas, a transaction announced by Kerrigan Advisors, which represented the seller.

Keating, based in Victoria, Texas, operates 30 dealerships in the state, as well as an insurance company an advertising agency and Viper Exchange, which specializes in Dodge high-performance cars.

Buckalew Chevrolet, founded in 1965 by Don Buckalew and a partner, has been serving the Conroe community for almost 60 years. Don Buckalew’s sons, Donnie and Denny, have owned and managed the dealership for the past decade. Kerrigan said the store has ranks 17th among Chevy dealerships in Texas.

Over the years Buckalew Chevrolet has been known for supporting local organizations, including schools, sports leagues, churches and non-profits, and the Buckalews took that into consideration when selling.

“Finding a buyer who prioritized community involvement and customer and employee satisfaction was a top priority for us,” Donnie Buckalew said, noting Keating “shares our value system, laying the foundation for the dealership’s continued success.”

NJ dealer group grows with acquisition

Greg Munoz and Sal Iannuzzi of Cumberland County Auto Group have acquired Vann Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Vineland, N.J., from George Vanderheyden, according to Performance Brokerage Services, which brokered the deal.

The dealership, which was founded by George Vanderheyden in 1998, is Cumberland County Auto Group’s fourth location in New Jersey, joining Kia of Englewood, Kia of Jersey City and Vineland Hyundai.

The group’s new acquisition has been renamed Vineland Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.

‘Mighty’ big deal for Bob Mills Mitsubishi

Bob Mills Mitsubishi has made a “Mighty” big deal.

The two-location dealership, which operates stores in Jacksonville, N.C., and Myrtle Beach, S.C., has announced a new venture with wholesale parts supplier Mighty Auto Parts.

The dealership said Mighty Auto Parts of Coastal Carolina will spearhead the initiative, with Robert Mills Jr. as serving as president, Robert Mills as vice president and Bob Mills Mitsubishi service and parts director Bryon Masterson as general manager.

The partnership is Mighty Auto Parts’ 26th franchise integrated with a multi-location dealership group. Mighty serves 100 franchised distributors in 44 states.

“By adding the Mighty franchise, we supply quality products to the entire coastal N.C. territory,” Masterson said. “Our Mighty service and inventory management strategies give us a distinct advantage in our marketplace.”

Masterson praised the Mighty franchise operations team’s “hands-on approach, which makes implementing our operations plan efficient and effective. They truly care about our success as a Mighty franchisee.”