One of Canada’s top luxury and exotic car dealership groups has extended its foothold in the U.S.

Montreal-based Holand Automotive Group has acquired Ferrari of Rancho Mirage in Rancho Mirage, Calif., its second location in California and fourth in the U.S., adding to Lamborghini and Lotus dealerships in Florida.

The group said in a news release the acquisition strengthens its position in North America and among the West Coast’s high net-worth clientele.

Holand said its third Ferrari store — joining Ferrari Quebec and Ferrari of South Bay in Torrance, Calif. — is already well known for its “boutique experience to demanding customers from prized areas like Palm Springs and Coachella Valley.”

Holand president and CEO Gad Bitton said the Rancho Mirage dealership’s “corporate culture of excellence and attention to detail aligns perfectly with our own. We strongly believe in the Ferrari brand and its future, and we look forward to sharing best practices to provide a truly outstanding customer experience at our Montreal and California stores.”

In addition to its U.S. locations, Holand operates 10 dealerships in the Canadian province of Quebec, representing Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini, McLaren, BMW, MINI, Maserati and Lotus. Holand also owns the Circuit Mont-Tremblant racetrack, some 90 miles northwest of Montreal, acquired in 2022.

“We’re always looking for opportunities without limiting ourselves to any geographic location,” Bitton said.

Lou Fusz Automotive Network grows in St. Louis area

Lou Fusz Automotive Network has expanded its reach in the St. Louis area with the acquisition of Steve Schmitt Kia in Florissant, Mo., according to Performance Brokerage Services, which advised on the transaction.

The acquisition gives the company 18 dealerships in Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.

Lou Fusz Automotive Network was founded by Louis Fusz Sr., who opened a Dodge Plymouth dealership in 1952. His son, Lou Fusz, Jr., took over as CEO in 1969 and is now chairman, with his sons Randy Fusz currently serving as president and CEO and Lou Fusz III, Peter Fusz and Patrick Fusz as chief operating officers.

Steve Schmitt Kia will be renamed Lou Fusz Kia of North County.

Steve Schmitt Auto Group, which has been in business for more than 90 years, retains two Chevrolet Buick GMC dealerships in Highland and Litchfield, Ill.

Bulldog Kia sold to Butler Automotive Group

Bulldog Kia in the University of Georgia’s hometown of Athens, Ga., has been acquired by Macon, Ga.-based Butler Automotive Group from David Kernall and James Hammond, according to Haig Partners, which represented the seller in the transaction.

Butler Automotive, brothers Marsh and Morris Butler, owns and operates 15 dealerships in Georgia, South Carolina and Florida. The new acquisition is the company’s first Kia store.

The group is “committed to providing an excellent customer experience and building a close family of team members,” Marsh Butler said. “The team at Bulldog Kia shares those same values and we’re excited to add them to our team. We look forward to serving the Athens community and upholding the legacy that David and James have built.”

Kernall was Bulldog Kia’s general manager when he partnered with Jim Keffer of Keffer Auto Group to purchase Bulldog Kia in 2010. In 2020, Kernall and Hammond obtained full ownership through Keffer’s GM-to-owner buyout program.

“My journey at Bulldog Kia has been immensely fulfilling,” Kernall said. “I’ve had the pleasure of serving customers in the Athens area for well over a decade. My proudest achievements have been the charitable work my team has done around the Athens community and the tight-knit family of employees that we’ve fostered at Bulldog Kia.”