Hendrick Automotive Group is returning to South Carolina’s capital.

The Charlotte, N.C.-based dealer group, which is the largest privately held auto retailer in the U.S., said Thursday it will be acquiring Love Automotive.

Hendrick said the acquisition is expected to happen in June and close by July.

The purchase of the Columbia, S.C.-based group would include Love Chevrolet and Love GMC, expanding Hendrick’s footprint in the Palmetto State to 13 stores.

Hendrick also has dealerships in the Charleston, Easley and Rock Hill markets. It previously operated Rick Hendrick Honda in Columbia from 1979 to 2021.

“For generations, the Love family has built its business around integrity, excellence and a deep commitment to people — values we share at Hendrick Automotive Group,” Hendrick Automotive Group chairman and CEO Rick Hendrick said in a news release.

“We’re proud to carry on their legacy and invest in a community that means so much to them and to us. Our priority is taking care of our new teammates and continuing to earn the trust of customers who’ve counted on these dealerships for decades.”

Julius and Nat Love founded the group in 1961. The dealerships will continue to operate under the leadership of current team members, and existing sales and service operations will remain open. They will be rebranded to Hendrick Chevrolet and Hendrick GMC.

“This decision wasn’t about selling to the biggest company – it was about finding the right partner,” said Michael Love, president of Love Automotive. “I’ve known Rick for many years, and his organization has a reputation for doing things the right way. Their culture is built on valuing people, and I know they’ll take great care of our customers and our team members. That’s what matters most to our family.”

Alabama GMC store earns 10th Dealer of Year Award from GM

Not even the Crimson Tide can match this win streak.

Howard Bentley Buick GMC of Albertville, Ala., has earned Dealer of the Year Award honors from General Motors for the 10th straight year. The award recognizes sales and customer service excellence and is given to the top 1% of GMC dealers in the country.

“It’s a pleasure to work alongside some of the best dealers in the business in representing GMC,” said Jaclyn McQuaid, GM’s global vice president of Buick and GMC, in a news release. “The dedication and enthusiasm that the Howard Bentley Buick GMC team puts into every day is key to building great relationships with our customers and earning their loyalty to the brand. I am thrilled to congratulate them on this outstanding achievement.”

Dealer principal Taylor Bentley Conner added, “Celebrating our 10th consecutive GMC Dealer of the Year award from General Motors is an incredible milestone for us, and it’s all thanks to our amazing team and new and repeat customers from across the country. Every day, we give a reason to come to our small town of Albertville, for a hassle-free experience in sales and service.”

Car Pros dealership earns top marks from Honda

In other dealer group news, Car Pros Automotive Group said Wednesday that its Car Pros Honda El Monte location earned American Honda Motor Co.’s Sales Circle of Excellence Award, which recognizes Honda’s top 50 new-car sales leaders each year, for the third straight time.

Car Pros Honda El Monte sold 3,747 new Hondas in 2024, its strongest year on record and nearly a 16% year-over-year increase.

The dealership ranked No. 22 for new-car sales among Honda dealers, after finishing 24th and 40th in the prior two years.

“We are proud to receive this award, a reflection of the dedication and hard work of the exceptional team at Car Pros Honda El Monte,” Car Pros Automotive Group CEO Matthew Phillips said in a news release.

“This achievement would not have been possible without their commitment to delivering outstanding customer service, support, and excellence—values that are at the heart of everything Car Pros does. Every day, our team goes above and beyond to ensure our customers have the best experience possible, and this is a testament to those efforts.”

Jessika Laudermilk, assistant vice president of Honda National Auto Sales at American Honda Motor Co., Inc., said: “It’s a great privilege to acknowledge Car Pros Honda El Monte as a Sales Circle of Excellence winner and top sales leader for 2024. Honda is the number four retail automaker in America thanks in no small part to our incredible dealer partners who build lifelong relationships with our customers.”

The group’s Car Pros Kia Glendale was the No. 1-selling new Kia dealer last year, while its MINI of Downtown Los Angeles was No. 6 nationally and No. 1 in Southern California for new MINI sales.

Car Pros Kia Glendale, Moreno Valley, Huntington Beach, and Tacoma were certified in the J.D. Power Dealer of Excellence Program for customer service.