The automotive industry is constantly evolving as automakers and dealerships look for new opportunities to expand their portfolios and increase their presence. In recent months, there has been an outbreak of activity as several major automotive groups have traded hands in a wave of deals that have seen Mitsubishi, Ford, Nissan, and Infiniti dealerships all switch ownership.
Mitsubishi Motors, which is based in Japan, is one of the largest manufacturers of cars and light commercial vehicles in the world and is known for its focus on reliability and comfort. In the third quarter of 2020, Mitsubishi announced that it had sold a number of its dealerships in the United States to Group 1 Automotive, a leading international dealership group. The deal included six dealerships in Texas, Arizona, and Colorado, as well as one in Canada.
Ford, which is an American carmaker, was also in the news in the third and fourth quarters of 2020 as it sold a number of its dealerships in the United States and Europe. The deals included four dealerships in the United States and one in the United Kingdom, with the purchasers of the dealerships in the United States being Group 1 Automotive and the purchaser of the United Kingdom dealership being Marshall Motor Group.
Nissan, which is a Japanese carmaker, was also active in the dealership market in 2020, as it sold a number of its dealerships in the United States and Canada. The deals included seven dealerships in the United States and two in Canada, with the purchasers of the dealerships in the United States being Group 1 Automotive and the purchasers of the dealerships in Canada being Dilawri Group and Monaghan Auto Group.
Infiniti, which is a luxury carmaker owned by Nissan, also had a number of its dealerships change hands in the third and fourth quarters of 2020. In the United States, four dealerships were sold to Sonic Automotive, and two were sold to AutoNation, while in Canada, one dealership was sold to Dilawri Group, and another was sold to Monaghan Auto Group.
These deals are significant as they represent a major shift in ownership of some of the world’s most prominent automakers. The deals also signify the increasing importance of the dealership market as automakers look to maximize their presence in the automotive retail space. This is part of a larger trend of consolidation within the automotive industry as automakers and dealerships are looking to increase their portfolios and access new markets.
As automakers and dealerships continue to evolve, the dealership market is likely to remain an important area of focus for the automotive industry. With the recent trades of Mitsubishi, Ford, Nissan, and Infiniti dealerships, it is clear that these automakers are looking to further increase their presence in the automotive retail space and expand their portfolios. This trend is likely to continue as automakers look to capitalize on the changing landscape of the automotive industry and take advantage of the opportunities that come with it.
