Automotive News has released its list of the top 150 dealership groups in the U.S. Some dealerships have jumped up in spots on the list by huge percentages.
Alan Haig, president of Haig Partners, a buy-sell firm in Fort Lauderdale, Fl., said it is time for dealers to go big and buy big or get out of the business.
“The consolidators have capital,” Haig told Automotive News. “They have confidence, they have support of their shareholders. They’re going to continue to do deals.”
One of those dealership groups that had the most improvement was Liza Borches, CEO of Carter Myers Automotive Group in Charlottesville, Virginia, who was able to purchase four locations in late 2021, increasing new-vehicle sales by 47%. Her acquisition came from knowing one of the owners of Miller Auto Group and she is now listed as No. 88 on the list. This is 29 positions higher than her former ranking.
Lithia Motors moved up the list to take the spot as No. 2 from Penske Automotive Group and trails behind No. 1 AutoNation.
With the numerous acquisitions in 2021, the top 10 and top 150 dealership groups have owned a larger portion of total U.S. franchised dealerships, according to Automotive News.
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