One of Lithia & Driveway’s top executives is moving on — and going back to his roots.

Executive vice president and chief operating officer Adam Chamberlain, who joined LAD in 2022 and was promoted to COO last summer, will take over as CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, effective July 1.

Mercedes said Chamberlain will also serve as head of marketing and sales for Mercedes-Benz Cars North America. LAD, which , which operates some 340 dealerships in the U.S., Canada and the U.K., said he will remain with the company until June 1.

“We are incredibly grateful for Adam’s leadership as our chief operating officer and the value he brought to Lithia & Driveway,” LAD president and CEO Bryan DeBoer said. “His contributions have helped strengthen our operations, sharpen our offerings and customer awareness, drive growth and advance our strategy.

“This is the beginning of a new chapter in our long-standing partnership with Mercedes-Benz, and Adam remains committed to our shared success.”

The move is a return to Mercedes for Chamberlain, who will succeed Dimitris Psillakis as the head of U.S. operations. Psillakis will transition into the role of senior strategic adviser.

Chamberlain worked for Mercedes from 2013 to 2021, first as a sales director in the U.K. and later as vice president of sales and product management for Mercedes-Benz USA, helping to lead the brand’s retail and product strategy in the U.S. market.

In his new role, MBUSA said, he’ll lead some 1,600 employees and more than 380 dealer partners throughout the U.S., and an additional 200 employees and 59 dealers in Canada.

“We’re excited to welcome Adam back to Mercedes-Benz,” Mercedes board member Mathias Geisen said. “Adam is a proven executive with over 30 years of global automotive experience, including the past nine years in the U.S. He brings an exceptional blend of strategic and operational excellence in both the manufacturer and retail businesses as well as a strong connection to our team, dealers and customers.”

Geisen said Chamberlain will work with Mercedes-Benz North America’s new CEO, Jason Hoff, on “navigating transformation and laying the groundwork for long-term success.”

Patriot Motors acquires Illinois dealership

Patriot Motors has acquired Phillips Hyundai of Bradley in Bourbonnais, Ill., from Phillips Auto Group, according to Performance Brokerage Services, which advised on the transaction.

Patriot Motors, a family-owned business led by president Shawn Kohli, operates nine locations in Illinois, Iowa, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Phillips Auto Group, founded in 1968 by Phillip Pascarella and now led by his son, continues to operate Phillips Chevrolet locations in Bourbonnais, Frankfort and Lansing, Ill., and Phillips RV in Bourbonnais.

The dealership will be relocated and renamed Patriot Hyundai of Bradley.