The American dealership industry continues to experience ownership changes as established automotive groups expand by acquiring successful family-owned businesses.
One recent transaction involves RDS Automotive Group, which has purchased Hill Buick GMC in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, after the Hill family spent 35 years building its dealership operations in the Philadelphia area.
The sale is part of a broader ownership transition involving two General Motors dealerships, with Hill Cadillac separately acquired by Piazza Auto Group. Both transactions closed in November 2026, bringing new ownership to two established locations and highlighting continued demand for profitable dealerships with strong customer relationships.
RDS Automotive Takes Over Hill Buick GMC After 35 Years of Family Ownership
RDS Automotive Group acquired Hill Buick GMC from the Hill family in a transaction that closed on November 4, 2026. Located in Newtown Square, a suburb of Philadelphia, the dealership will now operate under the name Buick GMC Newtown Square.
The acquisition adds another General Motors franchise to RDS Automotive’s portfolio and strengthens its presence in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The group is led by Robert DiStanislao and is headquartered in Newtown Square, giving it an existing connection to the community where the dealership operates.
The transaction marks the end of 35 years of family ownership. During that period, the Hill family developed relationships with customers throughout Philadelphia’s Main Line and the surrounding Delaware and Chester counties. Its dealerships became established local businesses with a reputation for customer service and consistent performance.
Hill Buick GMC had received Dealer of the Year recognition for five consecutive years and maintained a reported 5.0-star customer rating, according to Haig Partners, which advised the family during the sale. These credentials help explain why the dealership attracted interest from potential buyers.
The dealership was led by Geoffrey Hill Jr., who described the sale as a family decision rather than simply a business transaction. He explained that the dealerships had been a major part of the family’s lives for more than three decades.
He also praised Haig Partners for understanding the family’s priorities and helping identify buyers they trusted to continue the business.
Hill Jr. expressed confidence in the incoming owners, congratulating Robert DiStanislao and RDS Automotive Group, along with Dan Piazza and Piazza Auto Group. He said he believed employees and customers would be in good hands under the new ownership.
The sale followed a competitive process that attracted interest from qualified dealership buyers. Haig Partners served as the Hill family’s exclusive sell-side adviser, helping evaluate potential purchasers, manage negotiations, and coordinate the transaction.
Financial terms have not been publicly disclosed. Neither the purchase price nor the detailed financial structure of the acquisition was included in the announcement.
Hill Cadillac Goes to Piazza Auto Group in a Separate Acquisition
The Buick GMC acquisition was only one part of the Hill family’s dealership ownership transition. Hill Cadillac, the family’s second Newtown Square dealership, was separately acquired by Piazza Auto Group.
The Cadillac location will operate as Cadillac of Newtown Square under its new ownership. Like the Buick GMC transaction, the sale closed on November 4, 2026. Both dealerships are located along West Chester Pike, but they now belong to separate automotive groups.
Piazza Auto Group is led by Dan Piazza and operates more than 30 dealerships across Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. The acquisition adds another luxury franchise to its regional operations and strengthens its position in the Philadelphia-area automotive market.
Hill Cadillac also had a strong position in the local luxury market. According to Haig Partners, the dealership had received multiple Cadillac Master Dealer Awards and was the leading Cadillac Escalade retailer in Pennsylvania.
The Escalade is one of Cadillac’s most important luxury SUVs, competing in the full-size premium segment against vehicles such as the Lincoln Navigator.
The separate sale of the two dealerships is significant because it demonstrates that a family-owned automotive business does not necessarily have to transfer as one combined operation. Different buyers can acquire individual franchises depending on their existing networks, financial capabilities, and business strategies.
The Hill family had operated the two dealerships for 35 years. Geoffrey Hill Jr. led Buick GMC, while Hill Cadillac was led by Geoffrey Hill Sr. and Randy Hill. Together, the locations represented a multigenerational family business built around long-term customer relationships and local market experience.
According to transaction reporting, the family decided to leave automotive retail to spend more time with relatives and pursue other interests. The sales therefore represent a complete ownership transition for its dealership business rather than a partial investment or partnership with another operator.
Haig Partners managed the sale process for both locations. Managing director Derek Garber said the dealerships attracted significant buyer interest because of their established operations, loyal customers, and reputations in the Philadelphia market.
He also emphasized that the family’s priorities extended beyond simply accepting the highest offer. Identifying buyers capable of maintaining the businesses’ legacy and supporting their employees was an important part of the process.
What the Acquisition Means for RDS and the U.S. Dealership Industry
The Hill transactions reflect a broader pattern in the U.S. auto retail industry, where established dealership groups are expanding by purchasing franchises that already have solid local reputations and loyal customer bases.
These acquisitions can be attractive because buyers receive an operating business rather than having to establish a dealership from the beginning.
An established franchise already has a physical location, manufacturer relationships, service operations, employees, and a customer base. It may also have a recognized position in its local market, making it valuable to an experienced operator.
For RDS Automotive, Hill Buick GMC represents an opportunity to strengthen its presence in a market where the group is already headquartered.
The acquisition brings its network to 11 dealership rooftops across Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and California, according to industry reporting. A rooftop refers to an individual dealership location, rather than a separate automotive brand.
The Buick and GMC franchises also give RDS access to different customer groups within the General Motors lineup. GMC has a substantial presence in the truck and SUV segments through vehicles such as the Sierra, Canyon, Acadia, and Yukon. Buick focuses primarily on crossovers and SUVs, including the Envision and Enclave.
Operating both franchises provides the dealership with opportunities to serve customers looking for different vehicle sizes, price points, and capabilities. It also gives RDS an established service and parts operation connected to two recognizable American automotive brands.
For Piazza Auto Group, the Cadillac acquisition strengthens its position in the luxury vehicle segment. Cadillac’s lineup includes the Escalade, Lyriq, and Optiq, giving the dealership access to customers interested in traditional luxury SUVs as well as electric vehicles.
However, acquiring an established dealership does not automatically guarantee that its previous performance will continue.
New owners must maintain manufacturer standards, retain experienced employees, support existing customers, and invest in sales and service operations. Changes in management or dealership procedures can also affect the customer experience.
Neither RDS nor Piazza has announced detailed changes to staffing, management, facilities, or customer programs at the newly acquired locations. Therefore, it would be premature to assume that the transactions will lead to major changes in everyday operations.
The deals also highlight the continuing importance of specialist advisers in dealership acquisitions. Haig Partners said the competitive process attracted considerable interest from qualified buyers.
The firm noted that dealerships with proven management teams, established customer relationships, consistent operating performance, and attractive locations continue to draw attention from well-capitalized automotive groups.
Haig Partners also reported that it has advised on the sale of 23 dealerships throughout Pennsylvania. Its involvement in the Hill transactions reflects the role specialist advisory firms play in connecting sellers with buyers, evaluating business value, and coordinating ownership changes.
For the wider dealership industry, the transactions demonstrate that attractive franchises can remain valuable acquisition targets even when buyers are becoming more selective. Established General Motors dealerships with strong local reputations can offer strategic advantages to groups looking to expand their regional networks.
After 35 years of family ownership, Hill Buick GMC and Hill Cadillac are entering a new chapter under two different automotive groups. RDS Automotive gains Buick GMC Newtown Square, while Piazza Auto Group takes over Cadillac of Newtown Square.
Although the financial terms remain undisclosed, the acquisitions demonstrate the continuing demand for established franchises with loyal customers, experienced operations, and strong positions in desirable metropolitan markets.
