Dealer news: CAR Group cowboys up; acquisition in Indiana; new look for Canadian BMW/MINI store
The CAR Group is fixin’ to saddle up and ride into Dallas again.
The dealership group, which operates 20 locations under the Norm Reeves brand in California, Florida and Texas, has acquired Cowboy Toyota in Dallas, according to Kerrigan Advisors, which worked with the seller in the transaction.
The dealership, which has been owned by Ron Schwartz, Bob Cannon, the Bohn Brothers and Tobias Fulton for the past 18 years, becomes the sixth in the Dallas area for The CAR Group, which is headquartered in Dallas and owned by the Conant family, led by Dave Conant and his son, Taylor.
“We are so grateful that Cowboy will be in the hands of another Texas-based family-owned business that will provide our employees with a great future in the car business,” Schwartz said.
The dealership, located in the densely populated easter side of Dallas County, has been renamed Norm Reeves Toyota Dallas.
United Companies adds Indianapolis-area location
United Companies brought another dealership into its fold with the acquisition of Champion Chevrolet in Avon, Ind., a deal announced by Performance Brokerage Services, which represented the buyer.
The store in the Indianapolis area was purchased by United Companies CEO Amy Romain-Barron and her father, former CEO Ron Romain.
United Companies, which includes the Romain Automotive Group, was founded in 1964 by Robert Romain Sr., as United Automobile Leasing, the first company in Evansville, Ind., to offer vehicle leasing. As the business diversified, it was renamed United Companies in 2000.
In addition to the automotive group, United Companies currently includes Professional Transportation, Inc., Tri-State Aero and United Leasing & Financing, operating in 40 states and managing more than 3,000 corporate accounts.
Champion Chevrolet will be renamed Romain Champion Chevrolet.
Dilawri unveils new facility for combined BMW/MINI store
Dilawri’s BMW operation in Calgary, Canada has a new look, new leadership and a new name.
Canada’s largest automotive group, with 82 franchise locations in Canada and the U.S., announced the dealership formerly known as BMW Gallery is now BMW Royal Oak, and it’s being joined by MINI Calgary in a new 74,205-square foot facility.
The building is the first combined BMW/MINI retail facility in Canada to follow BMW Group’s customer-centered Retail.Next design standard, which Dilawri said, “will enable both locations to offer an even better experience to visitors seeking out new and pre-owned BMW and MINI sales, service and parts.”
“The name change from BMW Gallery to BMW Royal Oak represents not only new leadership, but a renewal of our commitment to our customers and community in Northwest Calgary — and beyond,” Dilawri’s vice president of operations for the Prairies region Andy Kistner said. “It’s also fitting that it has coincided with our recently completed facility, which reflects our alignment with BMW in evolving the retail experience.
“The enhanced store will enable us to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of our BMW customers in exciting new ways. We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors and showcasing the latest BMW lineup in our stunning new space.”
The MINI dealership, which moved from its Southeast Calgary location, occupies an independent space within the new store.
“MINI Calgary has always had an exceptionally strong connection with our customers,” Kistner said. “Our new home in this brand-new facility will enable us to deepen our relationship with them through even higher-quality sales and service experiences. Plus, with the latest designs, models and technologies, we’re ready to impress new customers as well as longstanding fans of the brand.”
Retail.Next design is BMW Group’s new corporate identity retail facility concept. Dilawri said it offers “the ultimate sales and service experience” as well as enabling “the proper integration of BMW’s brands.”
The company said the renovated BMW Royal Oak retail facility has been updated to deliver a “customer-centric VIP experience that immerses visitors in a premium, personalized journey from the moment they enter the showroom,” an area designed to act as a “vehicle exhibition,” with display vehicles facing the walkway in the direction of travel. The journey also includes touchpoint stations designed to bring the brand, product and customer together.
The combined BMW Royal Oak and MINI Calgary includes a 13-car showroom, a three-lane drive-through service department, 24 service bays, an automated car washing system, three charging stations for EV customers and more.