The last Beyer was the seller in a transaction that marked the end of the Beyer Automotive Group.

Mike Beyer has sold the Virginia-based dealership group’s eight stores in two separate transactions in a span of six weeks, according to Haig Partners, which served as Beyer’s advisor in the sales.

The group’s five dealership locations in the Washington, D.C. area— Land Rover Alexandria, Beyer Volvo Cars of Dulles, Beyer Volvo Cars of Falls Church, Beyer Kia Falls Church and Beyer Subaru — along with Smokey’s Garage in Falls Church, Va., were acquired by Open Road Capital on Oct. 10.

On Aug. 30, Jim Keffer and Jon Alcorn purchased Beyer Volvo Cars of Winchester, Beyer Mazda and Beyer Volkswagen, all located in Winchester, Va.

Beyer Automotive Group was founded in 1973 by Falls Church businessman Don Beyer, Sr., who sold the business to his sons, Don Jr. and Mike, in 1986. In 2019, Mike Beyer acquired his brother’s interest in the dealerships to become the sole owner.

The group retails more than 7,000 vehicles and generates some $400 million in revenue annually.

“It has been an amazing experience working with family and friends for so many years,” Mike Beyer said, “and I am extremely proud of the legacy Beyer Automotive Group has created. The decision to sell was difficult, but I was ready to move on to other interests and spend more time with my family.”

Open Road Capital, backed by private equity firm Bain Capital, now owns 43 dealerships nationwide.

“We would like to thank Mike Beyer for trusting Open Road Capital to continue the legacy his family has built for over 50 years in Northern Virginia,” co-founder and managing director Eric Chelline said. “We look forward to serving their many loyal customers.”

The three Winchester dealerships acquired by Keffer and Alcorn now comprise the newly created Dogwood Automotive Group and have been renamed Dogwood Mazda, Volkswagen of Winchester and Volvo Cars Winchester.

“We are pleased to begin serving the Winchester area,” Keffer said. “These dealerships are a good fit with my investment model, where I partner with talented operators to help them become dealer principals for the first time. Jon Alcorn will do an excellent job leading the talented staff at these dealerships and serving the Winchester community.”

Ford dealership puts its name on Athens’ new arena

Akins Ford in Winder, Ga., has acquired the naming rights to the new arena in Athens, Ga.’s convention center complex.

The Akins Ford Arena is an 8,500-seat facility on the campus of The Classic Center designed to host sports events, concerts and general sessions for conventions and conferences. It includes food courts and special seating areas.

In a news release, the dealership said the arena is “more than just a venue — it’s a dynamic part of the Athens, Winder, and Atlanta communities.”

The arena is scheduled to host its first event — a home game of the Athens Rock Lobsters minor league hockey team — Dec. 6, followed by a concert featuring Athens’ own B-52s a week later. It will also serve as home ice for the University of Georgia’s hockey team.

Other events on its schedule include a show by comedian Tom Segura, a concert featuring country artist Megan Moroney and appearances by Disney on Ice and the Harlem Globetrotters.