A Canadian dealership group is moving into the tropics.

Steve Marshall Group, based in British Columbia, has purchased its first U.S. dealerships with the acquisition of Orchid Isle Auto Center in Hawaii, according to Performance Brokerage Services, which brokered the sale.

Orchid Isle Auto Center, which had been family-owned and operated for more than 40 years, includes two Ford dealerships, one in Kailua-Kona on the west side of the Big Island of Hawaii and one in Hilo on the east side.

Steve Marshall Group was founded in 1966 by Steve Marshall, who opened his first Ford dealership when he was 19 years old and still serves as president.

The company operates 10 locations in B.C. in addition to the recently acquired stores in Hawaii.

Penske closes deal for Australian dealerships

Penske Automotive Group announced it has finalized the deal to acquire its first dealerships in Australia.

The automotive giant, which operates more than 500 dealerships worldwide and boasts operations in four continents and nine countries, has completed its acquisition of Porsche Centre Brighton and Porsche Centre Doncaster in Melbourne, Australia.

The deal, which was agreed to in April, gives Penske 24 Porsche dealerships worldwide and is expected to add $130 million in annual revenue.

The dealerships are added to the company’s commercial vehicle and power systems businesses in Australia and New Zealand.

“We are delighted to grow our presence in Australia while expanding our worldwide partnership with the Porsche brand,” Penske head of international operations Randall Seymore said. “We look forward to representing Porsche and serving customers in this important market while leveraging our existing operations in Australia.”

When the agreement was announced it also included a Ducati dealership, but Penske said it elected to dispose of that store associated “for strategic reasons.”

Case serves lunch to celebrate hospital workers

Rita Case, president and CEO of Rick Case Automotive Group, helped serve lunch to and meet with the 1,000 Holy Cross Health employees who attended a celebration at the hospital recognizing National Nurses Week and kicking off National Hospital Week.

The lunch was sponsored by Rick Case Automotive Group.

“We wanted to show our appreciation for all that the dedicated healthcare professionals do for their patients and our community,” Case said. “Nurses and the entire Holy Cross Health medical and support staff are the real heroes who save lives every day.”

The Rita and Rick Case Automotive Group is a Visionary Society member recognized in the new Philanthropy Circle at Holy Cross Health for its support of Holy Cross Health over the years.

The valet and visitor elevators now have a plaque honoring Rita and Rick Case Automotive Group.

“Rita and Rita and Rick Case Automotive have been such great partners to Holy Cross Health and to our entire community,” Holy Cross Health president and CEO Mark Doyle said. “We’re so grateful for their generosity and kindness.”

Lithia & Driveway increases share repurchase authorization

Lithia & Driveway, which operates more than 300 dealerships in the U.S., Canada and the U.K., announced a $350 million increase to its share repurchase authorization by its board of directors, bringing total funds available for future repurchases to approximately $660 million.

“Increasing our share repurchase authorization reflects confidence in our long-term growth and profitability,” president and CEO Bryan DeBoer said. “With all of the foundational pieces of our unique strategy in place, we are turning all efforts to delivering operational excellence and deploying of capital to drive the greatest shareholder return.”

So far this year, LAD has invested more than $156 million to repurchase nearly 609,500 shares — 2.2% of outstanding shares — at a weighted average price of $257 per share.