Don Franklin Adds Ford Dealership in Kentucky
The Don Franklin Automotive Group has acquired Knox Ford in Radcliff, KY. The dealership was sold after owner Gary Haupt decided to simplify his portfolio and focus on his larger Ford dealership in the Louisville area.
Knox Ford has been renamed to Don Franklin Radcliff Ford. This location will add to their Ford dealerships in Columbia, Kentucky and London, Kentucky
Don Franklin Radcliff Ford is the 28th dealership for the Don Franklin Automotive Group, which owns Ford, Lincoln, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Fiat, Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Nissan, Toyota, Hyundai, Genesis, Kia, and Mitsubishi stores all throughout Central Kentucky. The deal was brokered by the Tim Lamb Group.
“As I continue to look for expansion opportunities in Central Kentucky, it’s always a great fit when you find businesses like Knox Ford that have been well run by great people for so many years,” stated Eddie Franklin. Franklin will be retaining all of Knox Ford employees thru this transaction.
Sutherlin Sells Last Florida Dealership
Sutherlin Automotive Group has exited the Florida market with the sale of the Sutherlin Nissan of Vero Beach, to Andy Unanue.
The dealership has been renamed Nissan of Vero Beach.
The Alabama-based dealership group previously sold three other Florida dealerships—Sutherlin Nissan Fort Myers, Sutherlin Nissan Cape Coral and Fort Myers Genesis—to Krause Auto Group. The company continues to operate three locations in the Montgomery, AL, area and one in Kingston, TN. The deal was brokered by Pinnacle Mergers & Acquisitions.
“As much I love the Vero market, this transaction made sense for us to further diversify our brand mix as a company in growth mode,” said Brett Sutherlin, Sutherlin Automotive’s Chief Executive Officer.
Taverna Dealership Gets $25M Loan to Expand
Ocean Bank is providing a floor plan loan of $25 million to GT Fort Lauderdale Inc. and The Taverna Collection Inc.
GT of Fort Lauderdale, which was purchased recently by Gianmarco Taverna, sells Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram and Fiat vehicles. The Taverna Collection Inc. is a pre-owned automobile dealership located in West Park, FL.
“The Ocean Bank team of J.C. Barreto, Fred Tunnermann and Eddie Diaz have been instrumental in helping me achieve my growth plans,” Taverna said. “They understand the transactional complexities involved and work diligently in getting the deals across the finish line.”
The loan is the second financing by Ocean Bank to Taverna’s dealerships. It had provided funds for the purchase of a Mitsubishi franchise in Palm Beach.
Sam Leman Automotive Group Acquires Champaign Lot
The Sam Leman Automotive Group recently completed the purchase of Champaign Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Champaign, IL, in a deal brokered by Performance Brokerage Services.
Sam Leman Automotive Group was founded in 1963 and has expanded to ten dealerships across Bloomington, Champaign, Morton, and Peoria, Illinois, representing BMW, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Jeep, Mazda, Ram, and Toyota.
Champaign Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram will be renamed Sam Leman Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Champaign and will remain at its current location.
